Psalms 16

Psalm 16 begins with David's plea for preservation, expressing his complete trust in God and declaring Him as his Lord. He affirms his delight in the saints on earth and rejects the worship of other gods, recognizing the sorrows that follow idolatry. David proclaims the Lord as his portion and heritage, finding counsel and stability in His constant presence. The psalm culminates in a profound hope that God will not abandon his soul to hell nor allow His Holy One to see corruption, promising instead a path of life, fullness of joy, and eternal pleasures in God's presence.

In Psalm 16, David opens by seeking God's preservation, stating his absolute trust in the Almighty. He acknowledges God as his Lord, asserting that his own goodness is not for God but for the righteous saints on earth, in whom he finds delight. David explicitly denounces the worship of other gods, refusing to participate in their blood offerings or even speak their names, foreseeing multiplied sorrows for those who pursue them. He declares the Lord to be his chosen inheritance and portion, acknowledging that God maintains his lot and has granted him a pleasant heritage. David blesses the Lord for His counsel, which instructs him even in the night. He maintains a constant awareness of God's presence, believing that with God at his right hand, he will remain unshakeable. This leads to a joyful heart and a hopeful spirit, trusting that his flesh will rest in hope. The psalm concludes with a powerful declaration of faith that God will not leave his soul in hell nor allow His Holy One to experience corruption, but will reveal the path of life, where fullness of joy and eternal pleasures are found in God's presence.

The sixteenth Psalm, a Michtam of David, commences with a fervent prayer for divine preservation, as David places his complete trust in God. He addresses the Lord, affirming Him as his sovereign, and humbly states that his own goodness does not extend to God, but rather to the saints and excellent ones on earth, in whom he finds great delight. David then sharply contrasts this devotion with the folly of idolatry, declaring that those who hasten after other gods shall experience multiplied sorrows. He resolutely refuses to offer drink offerings of blood to false deities or even to utter their names. Instead, David proclaims the Lord as the portion of his inheritance and his cup, acknowledging that God maintains his lot and has granted him a goodly heritage in pleasant places. He expresses gratitude, blessing the Lord for the counsel received, noting that his inner being instructs him even during the night seasons. David steadfastly sets the Lord always before him, confident that with God at his right hand, he shall not be moved from his steadfastness. This unwavering faith results in a glad heart and a rejoicing spirit, with his flesh resting in hope. The psalm reaches its theological zenith with a prophetic declaration: David expresses his conviction that God will not abandon his soul to hell (Sheol) nor permit His Holy One to experience corruption or decay. He concludes by affirming that God will reveal the path of life, promising that in His presence there is fullness of joy, and at His right hand, there are pleasures for evermore.