People have always gotten to heaven by one way only-God’s way-through the work of Jesus Christ, His Son. That is the gospel, God’s Good News: God has made a way through an intractable divide between human sinfulness and divine holiness. That way is Jesus

In the Old Testament era, believers (more often called “God’s people”) saw the gospel only through the system of ritual and sacrifice that was a prelude to the one perfect sacrifice (Jesus’ own life) for sin. To die in the community of the covenant was to be assured that God would somehow provide prosperity in the afterlife. That was David’s hope in this psalm.

In the New Testament, the way to heaven is much clearer. Everywhere the Good News is given: “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Old Testament believes anticipated Christ’s death and resurrection, while people in the Christian era look back to it.

PSALM 49:15 – But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.