Chapter 16
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
2O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;
3But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
4Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.
5The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
6The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
8I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
10For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Overview
Psalm 16 is a psalm of confident trust and joy in God's presence. David declares, 'Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.' He affirms that the LORD is his portion and his cup, and that the lines have fallen to him in pleasant places. David blesses the LORD who has counselled him, and he sets the LORD always before him. Because God is at his right hand, he shall not be moved. His heart is glad, his flesh rests in hope, and he trusts that God will not leave his soul in hell or suffer His Holy One to see corruption. In God's presence is fulness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Key Themes
God as Portion and Inheritance
David finds in God Himself — not in God's gifts — his ultimate treasure, portion, and inheritance, declaring he has no good apart from the LORD.
The Path of Life
God makes known the path of life to those who seek Him, and this path leads to fullness of joy and eternal pleasures at His right hand.
Hope Beyond Death
David's confidence extends beyond the grave — God will not abandon his soul to Sheol or allow His Holy One to see corruption.
Study Questions
What does it mean to say 'The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup' (v. 5)?
How does setting the LORD 'always before me' (v. 8) produce stability and joy in daily life?
Peter quotes this psalm in Acts 2:25-28 as a prophecy of Christ's resurrection. How does knowing this deepen its meaning?
What is the relationship between God's presence and 'fulness of joy' (v. 11)?
How does this psalm redefine what it means to have a 'goodly heritage' (v. 6)?
Connection to Christ
Peter's sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:25-31) identifies Psalm 16 as a direct prophecy of Christ's resurrection — David's body did see corruption, but Jesus' body did not. Christ is the Holy One who was not abandoned to Sheol. Through His resurrection, He opened the path of life and secured fullness of joy and eternal pleasures for all who trust in Him.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Psalms 16. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?