Psalm 16 – Being satisfied in God

The word “Mikhtam’ in the superscript of Psalm 16 is believed to mean “golden.” Hence this is considered a “golden poem.” Many think that this Psalm is actually a private and personal prayer of David. He is supposed to have penned this song. From the expression of verses 10-11 and the fact that part of it was quoted in Acts 2:25-28, many conclude that this is also a messianic psalm. The content of this Psalm shows David expressing his satisfaction with God. There seems to be a dual-reference here:  on one end it refers to David, on the other it is making reference to Christ.  

In verses 1 and 2, we see David’s trust in the Lord. He acknowledged Jehovah God, his Lord, and he had placed his trust in Him. He was also well aware that apart from Jehovah God, there is absolutely nothing good in him. Based on these beliefs, David then prayed, asking God whom he had trusted, to preserve him from both evil man and evil things. Unlike those evil men, David had great love for the righteous and detested the wicked. He loathed those who worship false gods. He also refused to have anything to do with them, much less offer sacrifices of worship to them or call on their names. To David their sorrow would be multiplied to them by God, for their indulgence in their false worship.

As far as he was concerned, God would be his portion because he found great delight in Him. So in verses 5-8. He made his satisfaction in God known. So assured of the Lord as his inheritance, he expressed his trust that God would maintain and advance his cause. He was also confident that he would have a noble and pleasing heritage. In verse 7, David then blessed the Lord who had provided him with right counsel and led him to choose the right course of action, to make his lot with God. And as he aligned with God, even in his sleep God would instruct him. Hence he would take God into consideration in all his activities. In very step he took he would put God in the equation. As he factored God into his life, he was assured that God was always at his right hand. Hence he found deep assurance of safety as he gladly rejoiced in the Lord.  

He was also confident that God will never leave him and abandon him in “Sheol”, the place of the dead.  So with his tongue he rejoiced as his soul continued to rest in the hope he found in God. Essentially David was pointing to the resurrection of Christ.  This Psalm teaches us to fully trust the Lord. It teaches us to align with the righteous and detest evil. And like the Psalmist, let’s acknowledge that our greatest inheritance is God, and learn to always see Him before us.  More wonderfully, it points to the great hope we have in the resurrection of Christ. Praise the Lord!