Bible Commentaries
Psalms 16

Verses 1-11

Psalms 16 - THE GOLDEN PSALM

Verses 1-11

A Jesus-Messiah Psalm (Resurrection of the Kings)

Both human and Divine sufferings of the Messiah (Jesus) reached their apex or zenith on the cross of Christ. They were justified, however, by His resurrection from the grave and ascension into heaven, triumphant in truth, over all the foes and forces of evil. Through His sufferings our fears can be allayed, laid aside, and our hopes strengthened; Through steadfast trust in this triumphant Messiah-Redeemer we may live in daily hope and assurance, Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Verse 1, 2 are an outcry of David’s soul for God to preserve him from immediate danger because his total trust or commitment was to the Lord, as admonished Proverbs 3:3-5; 1 Peter 5:7. See also Psalms 9:10; Psalms 22:8; Psalms 25:20; Psalms 146:5; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:12. He added that his personal goodness did not extend to or add anything to the goodness of God. God’s holiness and goodness alone was the foundation of David’s hope. Of His own sovereign will and pleasure He communicates His holiness to men who cry to Him alone, not to false gods, for help and hope, Psalms 145:18-19; Job 35:7; John 6:37; John 15:5; See also Psalms 115:1-9. As David looked to the coming Jehovah­Messiah as "my trust," "my Lord," and "my goodness," so should and must men today to find victory in life and in death.

Verses 3, 4 the "saints that were in the earth, even to the excelling ones in holy living," are declared to be David’s delight or source of joy among men in Israel, in the earth. Only those redeemed in Israel and committed to faithful Hebrew worship, in the house that Moses built, are ever called saints in the Old Testament; Just as none is referred to in the New Testament times as a saint or saints, except those in fellowship with, baptized and in the house that Jesus built, the church which is greater than that Moses built, Mark 13:34-35; 1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 3:1-6. David adds that those who hasten after another god will have their sorrows increased. Even their drink offerings of blood David would not offer, if they brought them to him, nor would he take up their names into his lips to intercede to God for their sins, if at the same time they petitioned or gave gifts to other gods. Just as literal Israel was consecrated to God as a priesthood of saints, only through worship, after the Divine order of the "house that Moses built," so only are the redeemed consecrated to, or ever called saints in this church era, except and unless they have confessed Jesus, accepted baptism, and committed to serve in "the house that Jesus built," see? Exodus 19:6; Deuteronomy 7:6; 1 Peter 2:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 3:1-6; Mark 13:34-35; Ephesians 2:19-21; Ephesians 3:21; See also 2 Thessalonians 1:10, "He shall come to be glorified in his saints and admired in all them that believe, Revelation 19:5-9.

Verses 5, 6 witness that the Lord was David’s portion, the inheritance of his cup, to satisfy his needs, and maintain his lot in Israel and in Judah, through the Messaih whom he trusted to come. Just as David’s lot was maintained through Judah, so is the New Testament saints "lot" maintained through the church, His bride, for a glorified reunion with Him in a special way as saints, members of His house, His church, His temple, etc., Revelation 19:5-9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10. David added that the lines (or allotment of David in Judah) had fallen to him in "pleasant places" in prophetic assurances, Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; Luke 1:31-33; Joshua 16:5; Numbers 34:2; Amos 7:17. Prosperity was David’s certain lot in the Lord. He who possess the Possessor possesses all that He possesses, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; See also Romans 8:16-17; 1 Peter 1:4-5; Hebrews 6:19-20; Hallelujah! What a portion or lot! Sometimes heirs lose their inheritance here because they have no trustworthy attorney or advocate to represent or defend them in their lot, but not so with the "saints," of Israel, and of the church. In such He and they are yet to be glorified, in a special way, before the Father, 1 John 2:1-2.

Verse 7 relates David’s resolve was to bless the Lord who had doled out to him counsel, even through his subconscious mind "in the night seasons," all hours of the night. The term "reins" refer to the innermost feelings and thoughts of one, even to the conscience, the monitor of the soul, through which God yet speaks to men, through angels to help, in the night time, giving help and solving problems in the light of the world, James 1:1-5; Hebrews 1:14. Let us commune with our Lord even in the night, Psalms 4:4; Psalms 2:10; Luke 22:53.

Verse 8 relates David’s testimony that he had set (lifted up) the Lord before him, held Him high, as the one to be esteemed, adored, emulated, and loved as the apple of his eye. He added that because the Lord was at his right hand, as his strength and help, he would not be removed from his kingship in Israel and his faith in the ultimate triumph of his soul and his people Israel over all idolatry, anarchy, and evil. Like Paul he resolves to stand steadfast in pursuing the will of God. So must we, 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9.

Verse 9 adds that in the light of the help of God at his right hand, his hand of strength, his heart was made glad, his glory was an occasion of continual rejoicing, even in trouble; and he was resolved that his flesh would rest in hope, both in life and in death. He would live confidently, rejoicing in the Lord, in the full security of His care; As both the prodigal and all his household was called to rejoice in the Father’s house, security, and care, so should all God’s children, Luke 15:7; Luke 15:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Philippians 4:4. As He trusted in God to bring His body from the grave, so should we, Job 14:14-15; Job 19:26; Romans 8:11; John 5:28-29.

Verse 10 adds that the Lord, true redeemer would not "leave," permit, desert, or abandon his soul in (into hell), nor "suffer his holy one" (in body) "to see corruption." God did not permit David’s soul to go to hell, tho his body went to the grave, nor did He permit His Holy One (Jesus) of whom David was a Kingly lineage forerunner, to see corruption or putrefaction. He brought Him forth from the grave, by His Spirit, on the third day, Romans 8:11; Luke 1:35; Daniel 9:24; Acts 2:25-27; Acts 13:35-37; John 1:14; John 1:16. Because He lives we shall (again) also live; It appears that Jesus suffered the pangs of hell, finished His redemptive work on the cross, not in a mythological sashay through hell after His death, as brought into much Protestant theology through Dante’s Inferno and other fictitious records, John 17:4; John 19:30; For "when he had by himself purged our sins, (he) sat down on the right hand of the Father," of the majesty on high, where His soul remained for three days until the Father raised His body, He returned to stay in it until He was raptured into glory, some 40 days later, Romans 8-11; Acts 1:8-11. For to His Father He had voluntarily "commended His Spirit," from the cross, when He gave up the ghost (spirit) as recounted Luke 23:46. He who watches over us will neither abandon our souls to hell, in the death hour, nor permit our bodies to see annihilation, 1 Corinthians 15:38; 1 Corinthians 15:51; Philippians 3:20-21.

Verse 11 relates David’s triumphant faith that the Lord would show, point out to, lead him in the path of life, to His very presence, where there is fullness of joy, even forevermore. Then he adds "at thy right hand exists pleasures for evermore," of which Paul once received a glimpse, as recounted, 1 Corinthians 2:9; Psalms 17:7; Psalms 36:8; Acts 2:28. The truly trusting soul can enter the shadow valley of death, having no fear, knowing that He who never leaves or forsakes, as the "Light of the World," drives all darkness from death, Psalms 23:6; John 8:12.