Psalm 16
Preserve Me O God
Psalm 16
Introduction:
David cries out to the Lord in verse 1 “Preserve me O God.”
Why David cried this in this Psalm I do not know
More than likely he was being pursued by King Saul and found himself in a desperate situation.
Stop and think about how much we today enjoy the Psalms
So far most of David’s Psalms have been written in the midst of hardship
Isn’t it interesting how much the Lord uses hardships in our lives?!
When you cry out to the Lord as David did, why do you expect the Lord to hear and answer your plea?
David lists several reasons in his prayer as to why the Lord should “preserve him.”
I. Because of His trust in the Lord v. 1
How much God loves it when His people trust in Him!!
Psalm 2:12
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
Psalm 5:11
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name
Psalm 9:10
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:30
God is a shield to all who trust in Him
Psalm 20:7-8
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright.
Psalm 31:14
But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
These are just a few of the references where David shared of his trust in the Lord
How do we know where our trust is? It is in the first place we turn when we face trouble!!
II. Because God was his all in all v. 2
You are MY LORD; all I am is nothing without YOU!!
John 6:66-68
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Idea in my mind is that God was his whole life. All that I am, all that I ever will be is all in His hands. He is my Lord and my God!!
III. Because he finds fellowship with other saints v. 3
He delights in those who delight in the Lord
How we treat others says a great deal about where we are spiritually
Showed that David was right with the Lord
Mark 9:50 Jesus
Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”
John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 15:12 Jesus
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Romans 12:10-13
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
1 Cor. 11:33
Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
IV. He stays away from that which is ungodly v. 4
We have talked about this a great deal in the Psalms already, but again David is staying away from the things that are displeasing to the Lord. He is living a life that is separated from the world!!
V. His inheritance is God v. 5
Not from God or in God, but it is God
YOU are the portion of my inheritance
It is God who controls his “cup” or his lot in life
Today Christians often focus on what they have, or will have, in Christ
Or how God can bless me, etc.
David’s inheritance was GOD!! And that was enough.
Revelation 21:1-4 main focus is on God not the things that will take place
VI. His God is ever before him v. 8
He continually remembered God’s presence with Him
This caused him to be secure!!
In David’s troubles he must have kept this before him
See it especially in the time Saul slept in his cave
Or the time David went into his camp and didn’t kill him
He knew the Lord was in control
VII. His counsel comes from God v. 7
To me that means that David seeks the Lord in everything that he does
Even on the night watches
The Lord is please when we come to Him to seek counsel (wisdom)
VIII. His hope goes beyond this life vv. 9-11
This hope would greatly affect his priorities, what was important
David was hanging on to the Lord, his trust started in this life but went well beyond it!!