1
A Miktam of David.
Preserve me, O God,
for in You do I take refuge.
2
I said to the LORD: “You are my Lord;
apart from You I have no good thing.”
3
As for the saints who are in the earth,
they are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.
4
The sorrows of those who follow another god shall be multiplied;
I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
nor will I take their names upon my lips.
5
O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
6
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
yes, I have a goodly heritage.
7
I will bless the LORD, who has given me counsel;
yea, in the night my heart instructs me.
8
I have set the LORD always before me;
because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
my flesh also shall dwell in safety.
10
For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
11
You will show me the path of life;
in Your presence is fullness of joy,
at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
🕊️🙏📖 Summary of Psalm 16 – “Joy and Protection in the Presence of the Lord”
Psalm 16 is a psalm of trust and devotion, in which David declares that the Lord is his only portion and inheritance. In this psalm, David refuses to worship other gods, chooses to walk in the Lord’s guidance, and rejoices in the assurance that the Lord will not abandon him to death.
This is a prophetic psalm that is also quoted in the New Testament as a prophecy of Christ’s resurrection. With a tone full of confidence, the psalm closes with a call to everlasting joy in the presence of God.
📌 1. Protection and the Confession of the Lord as True Treasure (verses 1–2)
➡️ David says: “Preserve me, O God…”
➡️ He declares that the Lord is his only good.
🎯 True security comes from living in fellowship with the Lord, not from earthly things.
📌 2. Faithfulness to the Lord, Rejecting Other Gods (verses 3–4)
➡️ David delights in the saints who live for the Lord.
➡️ He refuses to follow other gods or offer sacrifices to them.
🎯 Loyalty to the Lord must be joined with a refusal of spiritual compromise.
📌 3. The Lord as Portion of Life and Counselor (verses 5–7)
➡️ “The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup.”
➡️ David is satisfied because he has received a beautiful portion from the Lord.
➡️ The Lord gives counsel, and even in the night his heart teaches him truth.
🎯 The Lord is not only a refuge, but also the source of wisdom and true contentment.
📌 4. Joy Because Not Left in Death (verses 8–10)
➡️ David is always mindful of the Lord’s presence: “I shall not be moved.”
➡️ He rejoices because he knows the Lord will not let him perish or allow his body to see corruption.
🎯 This verse is a prophecy of the resurrection of the Messiah, who would not be left in death.
📌 5. The Path of Life and Everlasting Joy (verse 11)
➡️ The Lord makes known to David the path of life.
➡️ In the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy and everlasting pleasure.
🎯 The final goal of spiritual life is eternal fellowship with the Lord that satisfies the soul.
📖 Main Lessons
- The Lord is the refuge, inheritance, and true source of joy for believers
- Turning away from false worship is a sign of true devotion
- The Lord gives counsel and wisdom to those who yield to Him
- Resurrection is part of the hope of the righteous
- True joy is found only in the presence of the Lord, not in the world
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 Acts 2:25–28 & 13:35
➡️ Peter and Paul quote Psalm 16:10 as a prophecy of Christ’s resurrection:
“You will not leave my soul in Sheol, or allow Your Holy One to see corruption.”
➡️ This is fulfilled in Jesus, who was not left in the grave.
📖 John 14:6
“I am the way, the truth, and the life…”
➡️ David says: “You will show me the path of life” — fulfilled in Christ.
📖 Philippians 3:8–10
“I count all things as loss because of the excellence of the knowledge of Christ…”
➡️ David also saw the Lord as the best inheritance — not earthly wealth.
📖 Psalm 16:11 → Revelation 21:3–4
➡️ Everlasting joy in the presence of the Lord is fulfilled in the new heaven and the new earth.
🕊️ “You will not leave my soul in Sheol.” – Psalm 16:10
🕊️ “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” – Psalm 16:11
🕊️ “You will show me the path of life.” – Psalm 16:11
🕊️ “The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup.” – Psalm 16:5
