I. In general this verse teaches that there is one thing even in this fleeting world which is immortal. Man wears on his forehead the crown of his regnant majesty, for his nature is undying. A soul's state can be changed, but its nature is unalterable.
II. It is helpful to learn here that the text draws a distinction between life and mere existence. We are informed that these hearts of ours may have one of two moral states. Whichever of these is possessed as a permanent character decides destiny. The heart that seeks God enters immediately into the nearness of God's presence, where there is fulness of joy. The heart that wilfully refuses to seek God is forced into the darkness of utter banishment from God for the unending future. To the first of these conditions the Scriptures have given the name of life, to the second death.
III. The text evidences its authority by language peremptory and plain. There are three fixed laws of human nature which, fairly working together, render it absolutely certain that our affections will survive the shock of death and reassert themselves hereafter. (1) One is the law of habit. (2) Another is that of exercise. (3) A third is the law of association.
IV. The text teaches that human immortality is quite independent of all accidents and surroundings. Human affections will exist for ever in the line of their "seeking." Whatever your heart is, it will never die.
V. Our text fixes all its force by an immediate application of the doctrine to such as are meek enough to receive it. If your heart is to live for ever, then (1) much consideration ought to be given to your aims in this life, for they are fashioning the heart that is immortal. (2) Our companionships should be chosen with a view to the far future which is coming. (3) Some care should be had concerning the processes of education by which our affections are trained. (4) If our hearts are to live for ever, it is time some hearts were changed by the Spirit of Divine grace.
C. S. Robinson, Sermons on Neglected Texts,p. 21.
References: Psalms 22:26. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxii., No. 1312; G. Brooks, Outlines of Sermons,p. 134.Psalms 22:27. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xviii., No. 1047. Psalms 22:29. Ibid.,vol. xxii., No. 1300. Psalms 22 A. Maclaren, Life of David,p. 141; J. Keble, Sermons for Holy Week,pp. 373, 380, 387, 394; E. Johnson, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xv., p. 62; J. G. Murphy, The Book of Daniel,p. 42; I. Williams, The Psalms Interpreted of Christ,p. 389.