Psalm 16 Jan. 6 A Poem by David. 1Preserve me, God, for in You do I take refuge. 2My soul, you have said to Yahweh, You are my Lord. Apart from You I have no good thing. 3As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight. 4Their sorrows shall be multiplied who give gifts to another god. Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take their names on my lips. 5Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup, you made my inheritance secure. 6The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; truly I have a good inheritance. 7I will bless Yahweh, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons. 8I have set Yahweh always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also lay to rest in hope. 10For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will You allow Your holy one to see corruption. 11You will show me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy, in Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
Commentary
16:3 They are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight- David often speaks of how he loves others who also love God, and he speaks of them in terms of great respect (15:4). We likewise should find ourselves naturally attracted to other believers, and should always be respectful towards them because of the fact they are loved by God. We cannot believe and keep ourselves in isolation from them, physically or mentally.
16:8-11 These verses are quoted about the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, of whom David was a type (Acts 2:27). Jesus is now at God’s right hand offering our prayers to God (Rom. 8:34); and yet this is described here as His eternal pleasure (:11). Jesus takes great joy in offering our prayers to God, and this alone should inspire our prayer life.