Wisdom Books Psalms

Finding Eternal Joy

Discover Jesus as: King of Glory Psalms 16-17 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 399 of 730
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INTRO

There’s not a day when the book of Psalms doesn’t speak into your life. We’ve already looked at a variety of psalms. Some scholars identify Psalm 16 as a personal psalm of joy of God’s goodness, while others identify it as a psalm of lament. As we walk through this psalm, it will feel a little like the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. In Psalm 16 is the language of lament, and in that is the expression of joy. Within the psalm, “my” is used 12 times, such as “my portion,” “my future,” “my conscience,” and “my right hand.” David’s joy is expressed through his delight, his pleasure, his pleasantry, or just being glad. All of this language demonstrates that God was doing something special in David’s life. This is also a Messianic psalm and much of the end of the psalm was used by both Paul and Peter to describe Jesus as the Messiah. The subheading for Psalm 16 is “A Davidic Miktam.” There are six of these in the book of Psalms. Scholars do not agree on what the word means but suggest it could mean: “engraved in gold, to cover, secret treasure, [or] a poem containing pithy sayings.”1 Wiersbe uses three descriptions to explain the themes within each section: “The Lord of Life” (vv. 1–8); “The Conqueror of Death” (vv. 9–10); and “The Joy of Eternity” (v. 11).”2

TEACHING

Psalm 16:1-8: In verse 1, David asks for protection or preservation, meaning that he asks God “to keep or to watch over” as “a shepherd watched over his sheep.”3 In verse 2, David wants to enjoy all the good things God has given him (Psalm 21:3; 23:6; 73:25, 28; Matthew 19:17). David knew God is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).

David also took delight in the holy people (the believing remnant) who were in the land, who trusted God, and obeyed His covenant (v. 3). God calls us to be holy (Exodus 19:6; Leviticus 19:2; 20:7-8, 26; 21:8; Deuteronomy 7:6). Surround yourself with those who are holy. The other group in the land was made up of the unbelieving worshipers of idols. David said he would not speak their names (v. 4). While we should surround ourselves with those who are holy, we’re also called to go out into the world (Romans 12:2; James 1:27; 4:4). We have to be in the world to be light and salt for Christ.

In verse 5, David recognizes that God is his portion. The phrase “my portion” illustrates the inheritance each of the 11 tribes (all except Levi) received in the Promised Land. For David, God Himself was his portion and his future. Then David recognizes the land he has received and his role as steward of it (v. 6) (Rules for the land: Deuteronomy 19:14; 27:17; Proverbs 15:25; 22:28). David depended upon God for counsel and spent his nights in “discipline and chastening.”4 He identifies that God is the foundation on which he lives his life (v. 8).

Psalm 16:9–10: These verses begin the Messianic prophecy in this psalm. Wiersbe points out that the phrase “my body also securely” was spoken about the Messiah, not about David himself.5 The identification continues in verse 10: “For You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow Your Faithful One to see decay.” Peter’s entire message at Pentecost is based on Psalm 16:9–10 (Acts 2:22–31). David prophesied that the coming Messiah would conquer death. Paul also referenced Psalm 16 in Acts 13:35 when he explained that the Messiah’s body would not decay (Luke 24:28-31, 36-43). The resurrection of Christ was the theme in both Paul’s and Peter’s preaching.

Psalm 16:11: Verse 11 gives a wonderful picture of the abundant joy in heaven in which there are eternal pleasures. The reality of eternal life is being in the presence of the King of Glory forever.

CLOSING

David never stopped learning, praying, and listening to God. We have the same opportunity—to learn and listen and experience joy in God.

  1. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2004), p. 118.

  2. Wiersbe, pp. 118–120.

  3. James A. Johnston, Psalms 1—41, v. 1 (Wheaton: Crossway, 2015), p. 175.

  4. Wiersbe, p. 119.

  5. Wiersbe, p. 119.

Questions

  1. Psalm 16:8 and 11 both mention the right hand. What is the significance of the right hand in the Bible, and where else in the Bible do you hear of the right hand being mentioned? (Genesis 48:13–14; Psalm 110:1; 118:16; Acts 2:33; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20–21; Hebrews 10:12–13)
  2. How does Psalm 16:9-10 point to Jesus’ resurrection, as well as our salvation? Who else in the New Testament quotes these verses about the Messiah? (Acts 2:25-28)
  3. In Psalm 17, David cried out to the Lord for vindication from his enemies. Do you ever find yourself pleading your case before God or wanting to take vengeance on someone you think has done you wrong? What does the Bible say about this? (Deuteronomy 32:35–36; Ezekiel 25:17; Romans 12:17–19; James 1:19–20)
  4. How often do you look for fulfillment in this lifetime instead of looking forward to the day when we meet Jesus face to face in eternity (Psalm 17:14)
  5. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in Psalms 16—17 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin Psalm 16:8–9,11

“I keep the LORD in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely . . .You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.”

As a follower of Christ, keep the Lord on your mind always. Always. When you wake up, make breakfast for your family, walk into that board meeting, play that sports game, walk up the steps to preach that sermon, wait on the doctor’s report, tuck your kids to bed at night, or burn the midnight oil writing papers for school . . . keep the Lord on your mind always! Why? Because when you do, you won’t be shaken or feel defeated in life. You won’t be shaken when you lose the game or your kids won’t listen to you. You won’t feel defeated when you don’t have approval from your peers, your coworkers, or your teachers, or when the health test reveals unwanted results!

Keep your mind focused and your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author of your life. He has plans for you, not to harm you but to prosper you for good. He holds your future and will reveal the path of life to you even through the trials. As you keep the Lord in mind and rest in His presence, He promises you will experience joy. Try it today. Keep the Lord on your mind at all times. Read His Word. Give thanks to Him for His promises. Sit in the quiet and let His Spirit speak to your heart. Rest in Him. Not in yourself. Not in your things or your agenda. Not in strife or in fret. Rest in Him. In Him, you won’t be shaken.

“I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely . . .You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.”

— Psalm 16:8–9,11

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • Psalm 16:5–6 – “Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”
  • Jeremiah 29:11 – “‘For I know the plans I have for you’—this is the Lord’s declaration—‘plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”
  • Hebrews 12:2 – “Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.”