The Hope of the Faithful, and the Messiah’s Victory
A Michtam of David.
“Preserve [watch over] me, O God, for in You I put my trust. O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You.”
As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take up their names on my lips.
O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You [uphold]maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance. I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol [the abode of the dead], nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16 is a favorite because pf the assurance it brings us. “Preserve [watch over] me, O God, for in You I put my trust. All of us long for someone to preserve us and to keep us safe. God is the safest One in whom to put our trust.
“O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You.” If God is not taking care of us, what advantage do we have in being good? We fool ourselves if we think that our goodness will save us from calamities.
“O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You [uphold]maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance.” No matter how much we might inherit through our families, it’s much more important for God to maintain our well-being. Our best inheritance comes from God and not from other people.
“I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons.” We might be quite brave during the daytime; however, at night we have nothing to distract us. It is at night when we are forced to face the problems we have been able to ignore during the day. But night is also the time when God can speak to our hearts, comforting us and instructing us.
“I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope.” The key to being centered is to keep the Lord before us at all times. If we continue to look to God, we are far less likely to veer from one extreme to the other.
“For You will not leave my soul in Sheol [the abode of the dead], nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” Our hope of being with God for eternity does not rest with us but with God.
“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” This verse is both a promise and an affirmation. When we are anxious and upset, we can repeat this verse to ourselves as many times as necessary until its truth sinks into our hearts. God is not promising fleeting pleasures but pleasures forevermore.
APPLICATION: There are some psalms that are short but memorable and that are spiritual treasures. Psalm 16 is one of those psalms. Let’s face it; many times, life is not fair. Workplace situations can become toxic. Friends can betray us. Sometimes our health or the health of our loved ones may fail. But throughout all these problems, God is still on the throne and God remains constant. No matter what kinds of problems we are facing, we can always count on God to strengthen us, to guide us, and to comfort us. We can talk to God, bringing our problems to Him and knowing that He has perfect solutions.
Are you struggling with something right now? Print out Psalm 16 in big print so that you can read it easily and post it where you can easily see it. Carry a copy of it on your cell phone and read it in spare moments. This psalm can bring healing and peace to troubled souls. Try it and see.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help all who read these words to see what a treasure You have given us in this psalm. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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