Home Bible Study - Psalm 16

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A HOME BIBLE STUDY ~ Psalm 16

A miktam of David. 

● The title “miktam” is thought by some to mean “golden”; others think it is related to a word meaning “to cover.” It is found as an inscription on only 6 Psalms (16, 56-60) ...and since they all are written from times of peril, some think the idea is of covering the lips in the sense of secrecy, as if this were a secret or silent Psalm given in a time of crisis. Ultimately, we have no idea what “miktam” means...
● This is a wonderful Psalm relating how David found the secret of contentment and great gladness even in pressing times; and also speaks powerfully of Jesus and His work for us.

1 Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. 

● “keep me safe” - preserve/sustain ... a desperate cry from David’s lips that God protect him in his time of need (whatever that may be)
● “in you I take refuge” - literally, “I put my trust in You”
● notice that David turns to God in his struggles ... understanding that no where/no one else can be the solid bedrock we need in this life.
● Have you ever cried out to God in desperation?
● What are the false things we sometimes find ourselves putting our trust in?

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 land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. 
4 The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. 

● notice the difference in “LORD” and “Lord”... the first is the divine name of God (YHWH) ... and the second is the name “Adonai” ... The great and mighty God is his master...
● literally - “my goodness is nothing apart from you”
● All that David is and has is result of the merciful hand of God towards him ... apart from Him, David would have nothing good in his life.
● “saints” - the sacred ones / the set-apart ones... the holy people of God who surround David
● David delighted in the people of God, despite all their (and his own) failings, scandals, and embarrassments..
● On the other hand, those who willingly lived in idolatry – giving their fear, love and trust to ‘other gods’ only have lives filled with pain and sorrows.
● Following God and His will may not be easy, but to trust in false gods only brings more difficulties.
● Therefore, David acknowledges that he will not allow himself to practice their pagan beliefs of offering blood (their own or others) ... and won’t even utter the names of the pagan gods.
● When something good happens in your life, do you see the fingerprints of God on the gift?
● Someone once said, “Those who love the Lord will love the company of those who also love him." (Boice) Do you enjoy the company of the body of Christ?
● When we put our trust in things other than God (YHWH), do we usually see good or bad as a result?
● What sacrifices do people make today to their “other gods”?

5 LORD , you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

● literally, “the portion of my inheritance”
● “made my lot secure” - David was confident that God would maintain what He had first given to him.
● “boundary lines” - reminiscent of the dividing of the land among the Israelites ... what David has received is a delightful and pleasant gift of being in the presence of God.
● David was the youngest son in a family with many sons. He could expect no inheritance from his family; yet he took joy and comfort in the fact that God was the portion of his inheritance, and he knew that he had a good inheritance.
● God said to the priests in the days of Moses: "I am your portion and your inheritance" (Numbers 18:20). David understood that this was a promise given not only to the priests, but also to all who would trust God and His merciful gifts.
● We see here the contentment of David in God’s gifts to him.
● Do you trust that God will keep us in the faith and so you will receive the inheritance won by Christ?
● How content are you with God’s gifts to you in your life?

7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 

● David offers blessings to God who – unlike the false gods of the nations – provides counsel and advice to guide him in the way of peace.
● “my heart” - literally “my kidneys” ... the seat of emotions and affection (thus our understanding of “heart”... The kidneys and their fat were always to be burnt in sacrifice, to indicate that the most secret purposes and affections of the soul are to be devoted to God.
● When David’s heart trusted in the LORD, then his emotions would not lead him astray.
● Thus David determines that God would always be first in his life.
● With God as David’s “right hand man” ... his Counselor and Guide ... there was stability and security that would not have otherwise existed. 
● How does God counsel you today? What tools does He use to instruct you?
● Obviously only Jesus has always set His heart on God, but in what ways can you make sure that the ways of the LORD are your ways?
● How does God provide security to your life?

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

● The decision to put his total trust in God brought gladness to David’s heart.
● “my tongue” - literally “my glory” ... the Hebrews understood “glory” here as their tongue because God gave us our tongue to glorify Him and as it is the instrument of expressing our thoughts by words, it becomes our glory.
● David also understood the blessing of that relationship with God: he would be provided care and blessing in the life beyond... that he would not be abandoned in the grave, but his life would continue in the presence of God.
● But David also prophetically spoke beyond himself...In one sense David was indeed the Holy One of God, whose soul would not be left in the grave. Yet in a greater and more literal sense, only Jesus Christ fulfills this in His resurrection.
● Peter made this connection on the Day of Pentecost, when he said that these words went beyond David who was obviously dead, buried in a grave, and whose body had long ago decayed into dust (Acts 2:25-31).
● Peter understood that because Jesus bore our sin without becoming a sinner, He remained the Holy One, even in His death...and thus it was not possible that He should be held by death (Acts 2:24).
● “the path of life” - David seemed to understand that the benefits of this life commitment to God were received in both this life, and the life beyond. God gives us eternal life to enjoy as a present gift, extending into eternity.
● “fullness of joy” - that David could experience now, but also ultimately receive when in the more immediate presence of God.
● True pleasures forevermore are found at the right hand of God, not in separation from Him.
● One commentator notes: "We are also told that heaven is to be enjoyed at the right hand of God.

The right hand, even on earth, is the place of favor, and the place of honor, and the place of security. The right-hand place is always regarded as the place of dignity and nobility in all courts. God is not going to give his people any left-handed heaven, but they are to dwell at his right hand for evermore."
W  hen we go back to the first verse of this psalm, we remember that this life of gladness and rejoicing and fullness of joy is not a problem-free life. It is a life that may be challenged, and face attack on many levels. We probably feel that more right now than ever before.  There is such uncertainty about each day. We fear for our health, our livelihood, our family, our church, our economy, our society and our world.

Yet David understood that to put our trust in the things of this life...this world... is useless.  The gods of our hearts and our minds are useless.  Only in a life truly committed to God can there be enjoyment, security, happiness and blessing.  Ultimately, we find the hope of our lives and our eternity in the fulfillment of this Psalm - Jesus Christ.  He is the Holy One who did not see decay, but in the brilliance of Easter morning burst forth from the tomb to assure us that God is FOR us! Our sins are forgiven, the grave is defeated, His love is victorious! Those who trust in Him can have the peace, love and joy won by His resurrection – now, in this life... and in the life to come at the right hand of God!