Reading the Book of Psalms by Del Knudson
Psalms Book 16
You Will Not Abandon My Soul
A Miktam[a] of David.
16 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.[b]
4 The sorrows of those who run after[c] another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.[d]
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being[e] rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.[f]
11 You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Additional Scripture: (*)
Psalms 16:1-3
Matthew 27
Chapter Overview
Psalms 16 is a prayer for safekeeping, pleading for the Lord's protection against the threat of death. In accordance with its dominant theme, it could also be called a psalm of trust.1 It has close thematic links with Ps 23.2
David declares his loyalty to God alone. The Lord is David's one and only good thing; David will have nothing to do with the counterfeit gods to whom others pour out their libations.3
Calling God his "portion and cup" pictures God as a generous host. Guests at ancient banquets received their portion (of food) and their cup (of drink). David was expressing satisfaction with his lot in life by comparing God to the host of a banquet.4
The psalm ends with confidence that reaches past the grave. David ends by strongly affirming his security in the Lord, which extends even beyond death.5 The apostles of the New Testament saw David's words as a prophetic allusion to the resurrection of the Messiah (Ac 2:25–28; 13:35).6
For today, the psalm asks where we find security. Even at the most unstable moments, Yahweh is still our "portion and … cup" (v. 5). When we trust in God's provision, we have the right perspective on our possessions because we know where our security lies.
John 12:27-28
The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”