Psalm 16

Summary

The NET Bible

The psalmist seeks divine protection because he has remained loyal to God. He praises God for his rich blessings, and is confident God will vindicate him and deliver him from death.

Psalm 16 (NKJV)

A Michtam of David.

1 Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

protect of preserve - David is asking God to keep watch over him, or to guard him

Psalm 16:1 NASB95

1 Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.

Psalm 16:1 NET

1 Protect me, O God, for I have taken shelter in you.

David is placing his trust in the Lord, taking his refuge and shelter in Him.

He tells the Lord you are may place of security.

2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, My goodness (well-being) is nothing apart from You.”

He calls YHWH his master and lord,

all his well-being, and goodness that can come upon him, is from Him alone,

It He in whom he trusts.

YHWH is sufficient to keep him, protect him,

3 As for the saints (holy ones) who are on the earth, “They are the excellent (mighty or magnificent) ones, in whom is all my delight.”

David tells the Lord that he delights in God’s people,

calling them holy ones or saints,

Exodus 19:6 “6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.””

Deuteronomy 7:6 “6 “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”

excellent ones — David seems to be describing Israel who was chose by God as excellent and mighty, nobles and rulers over all.

The place of honor they occupied as God’s chosen people sets them apart from all other nations.

The other nations who worship gods other than YHWH…

4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips.

David’s trust is in the Lord, who will be his protection,

He thinks about those who run to idols for help,

whose sorrows or troubles will only be multiplied upon them

Their hope is vain, and empty.

They offer up sacrifices, drink offerings of blood, calling on their names, crying out,

they will not be heard, nor helped.

Psalm 115:1–11 “1 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth. 2 Why should the Gentiles say, “So where is their God?” 3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.

4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. 5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; 7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. 8 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.

9 O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. 10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. 11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.”

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal — 1 Kings 18:20-40

We read about the perverted ways the prophets of Baal worshiped Baal trying to get him to act, leaping about, crying aloud, cutting themselves with knives and lances till blood gushed out on them…

take up the names carries with it the idea of swearing an oath,

David is loyal to the YHWH and those who follow Him.

5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.

the inheritance of a person was more than just possessions or wealth, for the Jews is was God’s gift to them of the land,

Ecclesiastes 5:19 “19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.”

here David meditates on the Giver as the gift,

YHWH is his inheritance — who like the land would meet all his needs in His time

Psalm 73:26 “26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Lamentations 3:24 “24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!””

YHWH was all David needed to satisfy his heart in his life.

6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.

David speaks of boundary lines,

the imagery of God determining land boundaries for the nations, like in Deut 32:8, God’s sovereignty and providence.

when Israel entered the land of promise the land was divided to them by lot, an act entrusting the choice to God

these plots of land were to remain in the families possession forever.

the plots were clearly defined by markers.

As David considers his life he recognizes God’s goodness to him in what he has provided and given to him.

Knowing YHWH, being apart of his chosen people, along with all God’s blessings, provision, and protection, David says was the best inheritance he could receive.

7 I will bless (praise/speak well of) the Lord who has given me counsel (guidance); My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.

8 I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved (lack security or safety).

David’s relationship with God is one of nearness,

YHWH has instructed him and counseled him,

He reflects on these this counsel and grows in wisdom

He always sets YHWH before him, trusting in YHWHs protection.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament Psalms 1-41: Book One

A fully armed warrior would hold his weapon in his right hand and his shield in his left. The person to the right of a king would have the privilege of defending him. For a king to put someone there would be an affirmation of trust and therefore an honor. In contrast, when the Lord takes up his position at someone’s right hand, as here, he is in a position to offer defense with his shield (see

What David Does

takes refuge in the Lord

delights in God’s people

recognizes no other god

praising the Lord for his abundant blessing

He blesses the Lord for his counsel; meditates on it

sets the Lord continually before him; constantly trusting in Him.

Here is the climax of the song; the results

no matter what situation David would face, he was assured the Lord would preserve him…

he could rest even in the face of trouble

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.

a glad heart and rested flesh; knowing his future is secure in the LORD.

10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One (saint) to see corruption.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament Psalms 1-41: Book One

In the context this refers to not allowing someone to be put to death at the hand of malicious enemies. The psalmist will not be consigned to Sheol; he will not see decay because his life will be spared (see

Peter and Paul both apply this passage to Jesus as proof of His resurrection in the book of Acts (Acts 2:25-28; 13:35-37)

nor will you allow corruption.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 16:9–11

Preservation from the decaying grave is the idea behind both David’s and Jesus’ experiences, but with David it came through a deliverance from death, whereas with Jesus it came through a resurrection from death.

David was looking to life everlasting with YHWH, deliverance from death;

he knew death was not the end to his fellowship with God,

2 Corinthians 5:8 “8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

and with Jesus; He did not see corruption having conquered it through His resurrection.

This confidence is now for all who believe in Jesus; that Jesus has conquered death and rose to become the firstfruits, that is the first to rise from the dead, indicting what is to come for those who have trusted in him.

Instead of death —

11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness (abundance) of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Prayer

Lord satisfy us with yourself, let all other things we trust in fail

David is satisfied in the Lord

protected in the Lord