Psalm 16

Show Me, Guide Me

Think of forever and then add more. That is our time in God’s presence. God is our perfect instructor; He will guide us. God is our complete joy. God is our forever promise.

Psalm 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

We are given three promises in this verse.

God will make known to us the path of life,

In His presence is fullness of joy,
In His right hand there are pleasures forever.

Let’s look at these three promises with a careful eye to see, and a heart to understand.

You will make known to me the path of life

First, it is God, Jehovah, the Almighty, who is our source of understanding. Looking back to the beginning of this Psalm, some things we have learned is that God will guard us, He will keep us, He will counsel and instruct us, He is our source of strength, and He is our source of joy.

What does it mean that God will make something known to us?

make known, from the Hebrew word yada, meaning to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); …including observation, care, recognition; …instruction, designation, punishment; …to regard, to have respect, to be sure, to teach, to have understanding.

The path of life – Jesus is the path of life. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, we are redeemed. Remember this is a Psalm of David, a praise to God for His blessings. We read King David’s exultation in the mercies of God in Psalm 21.

Psalm 21:1 O LORD, in Thy strength the king will be glad, and in Thy salvation how greatly he will rejoice! Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and Thou hast not withheld the request of his lips. Selah. For Thou dost meet him with the blessings of good things; Thou dost set a crown of fine gold on his head. He asked life of Thee, Thou didst give it to him, length of days forever and ever.

God will make known to you Himself – He alone is able to cause you to have understanding of who He is. It is only because of Him that you are able to understand your need of His gift of salvation. It is His work in your heart that makes you His child.

As God’s child, you have the privilege of getting to know God through His Word, through His care, and through His instruction.

We know God through understanding given to us by His Holy Spirit and through His discipline in our lives. As we are focused on knowing and understanding God’s will for us, He will lead us in the way which we should go in order to bring glory to His name.

In Your presence is fullness of joy

Presence, paniym, … the face…before…countenance…

Psalm 17:15 As for me, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Thy likeness when I awake.

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known.

In God’s presence there is exceeding joy. Full and perfect joy and satisfaction. This is the future which awaits those who trust in Him. Fullness of joy cannot be found in earthly things. We look forward to that state of blessedness where our complete focus and purpose is realized in God’s presence alone.

But for now, we can find joy in the blessings we have here. And we can be joyful for the future which awaits us and all those who have placed their trust in Jesus alone for their salvation.

Is there joy in your heart? Do you see God’s blessings in your life right now?

3) In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Forever, from the Hebrew word, netsach, a goal, i.e. the bright object at a distance traveled towards; perpetual

Forevermore – from now on and for all time; eternally; ad infinitum

Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Pleasures – “Our joys are empty and defective: But in heaven there is fulness of joy. Our pleasures here are transient and momentary; but those at God's right hand are pleasures for evermore. For they are the pleasures of immortal souls, in the enjoyment of an eternal God”, John Wesley’s Notes.

Think of forever and then add more. That is our time in God’s presence. God is our perfect instructor; He will guide us. God is our complete joy. God is our forever promise.

We have –

God’s protection,

His blessings,

His promises,

His love, and

His faithfulness.

We look forward to the certainty of being in His presence forevermore. How could we not be joy-filled knowing these truths?

Is your focus on the LIGHT at the end of the tunnel?

James 1:17 Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.

Psalm 27:1 ([A Psalm] of David.) The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

John 12:46 "I have come [as] light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness.

John 8:12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

Are You Secure?

There is nothing you can do to ‘lose’ your salvation. You can mess up, make a bad decision, sorrow for the things you should have done differently, however, God’s love and gift of salvation to His children is unconditional and permanent.

We have read about God’s protection, His blessings, and the confidence we can have in Him. In Psalm 16:9, the Psalmist proclaimed, “My heart is glad, my glory rejoices, my flesh will dwell securely”. In verse 10, he gives his reason for this statement – because God will not abandon his soul to hell; because Christ arose from the dead.

Psalm 16:10 For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.

According to the above scripture, how certain can God’s children be of their future in heaven?

Psalm 16:10 says He will not abandon us to hell. This is a promise to those who have placed their trust in Christ alone. We have all heard stories of animals abandoned and even babies and children abandoned. Abandonment means to leave. We can be abandoned by friends in school, and by family when opinions differ.

There are things that can make us feel abandoned or alone, but the truth is, as God’s children, we are never alone. God will never forsake His children. We can walk away, we can look the other direction and get confused, we can even buy into the lies of Satan for a while, but if we are truly His chosen child, He will always be right there waiting for us. What an incredible comfort this truth is to those who believe. The truth that we will not be abandoned like the stray dog in the field or the newborn baby that is cast aside and not wanted, should fill our heart and soul with ridiculous, intoxicating joy! Heaven is your final destination if you have genuinely accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Just as we cannot earn heaven – it is a gift received by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone – we cannot un-earn heaven. Think about this! There is nothing you can do to ‘lose’ your salvation. You can mess up, make a bad decision, sorrow for the things you should have done differently, however, God’s love and gift of salvation to His children is unconditional and permanent. I used to have a printed canvas on my wall that read, “The measure of love is to love without measure”. There is no measure of God’s love. It extends beyond our understanding. We don’t deserve it, we cannot earn it, but God chooses to give it.

The word used in Psalm 16:10 for hell is Sheol. It is the Hebrew word for the land of the dead, the infernal regions, the nether regions, the abyss, the abode of the damned, eternal damnation, eternal punishment, perdition, hellfire, fire and brimstone, or Hades. We have all heard of at least one or two of these words for hell. Why do you think there is a debate about heaven and hell? If you want to get into a lively conversation with someone, just ask them if they believe in heaven and hell. I think there is an underlying concern in each of us that heaven and hell is real. The Bible even tells us we will be without excuse. We will not be able to say we did not know; we will not be able to say we did not understand.

Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

The Prophet Isaiah speaks of the blessing of heaven and God’s faithfulness – because of Christ alone, sin is defeated. This is not trivial. Whether you believe in God or not, no matter what church organization you associate yourself with, ignoring what happens when you physically die will not change God’s existence or judgment. Let’s say you don’t believe in heaven or hell, or God, or religion, or you think that when you die you simply cease to exist. You have the freedom to choose what you want to believe. However, if God is real, and His word is Truth, there is a judgment to come which will include all people. Then what? If you have rejected His Son, hell will be your end. If you have accepted His Son, you will live in heaven with Him for eternity.

Isaiah 38:17 "Lo, for my own welfare I had great bitterness; It is You who has kept my soul from the pit of nothingness, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back. "For Sheol cannot thank You, death cannot praise You; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.

The first part of Isaiah 38:17 speaks of God’s faithfulness. The second part speaks of the miseries of hell – there is no thankfulness, no praise, and no hope. There will be no opportunity to change your mind! You can say you were wrong, you messed up, you now believe in Him; but it will be too late and separation from God’s love, blessings, and care will be your eternal destiny.

The opposite is Heaven. Those who believe in Jesus and have accepted His gift of salvation need not fear hell because Jesus’ resurrection was victorious over sin and death. In fact, when your physical body dies, you can look forward to the promise of being in heaven with Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote of his desire to be with Jesus when addressing the church at Philippi.

Philippians 1:22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

The second half of Psalm 16:10 speaks of Jesus’ victory over sin and death. It reads, “Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay”.

Thy Holy One – one who is the object of God’s favor, and so a recipient of divine grace… Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

To see corruption or to undergo decay; “Christ's body arose from the grave without seeing corruption, Ac 2:25-28,31; and the bodies of believers shall be delivered from corruption by virtue of their union with him”, Family Bible Notes.

“Into the outer prison of the grave his body might go, but into the inner prison of corruption he could not enter. He who in soul and body was preeminently God's "Holy One," was loosed from the pains of death, because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. This is noble encouragement to all the saints; die they must, but rise they shall, and though in their case they shall see corruption, yet they shall rise to everlasting life”, The Treasury of David.

Psalm 4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him.

“The victory of our Lord Jesus Christ over death and hell was a victory for himself the head, and for his body the church. Because God has shown him the path of life, he will show it to them also that are united to him by faith. Though their bodies go down to the grave, they will not be left there for ever. When Christ shall appear the second time, all who have died in him shall be raised up incorruptible and glorious”, Family Bible Notes.

1 Corinthians 15:52-54 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.

Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from death so that those who have placed their trust in Him completely for salvation are saved from hell to eternal life. This is the truth that motivated David and all the saints before us.

Are you able to say, “My heart is glad, my soul rejoices, and I am secure for all eternity because God loves me and sent His Son”?

My Heart is Glad

If we understand God as David did, then just a glimpse of God’s goodness, protection, righteousness, and love, will cause us to be overwhelmingly filled with the joy that comes from knowing Him.

Psalm 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely.

Psalm 16:9 begins, ‘Therefore’, which means we need to know what came before. Verse 8 says, ‘because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken’. We can even go back to the beginning of Psalm 16.

- v. 1 We have His protection. We can place our hope and trust in Him. We have a personal relationship with Him, a heart and soul that belongs only to Him.

- v. 2 Goodness is in our life because of Him.

- v. 3 We have the privilege of being part of His family, we are encouraged by one another’s faithfulness, and we find delight in the evidence of one another’s growth.

- v. 4 Following anything except the one true God will result in sorrow.

- v. 5 The Lord our God is everything to us. He will sustain us through all circumstances.

- v. 6 The Lord is our Father. Our inheritance lies with Him in heaven. Our future shines bright.

- v. 7 God is our counselor – He has given us His Holy Spirit, who is our spiritual Helper.

The Lord is our strength. He is our security. He is our guide; He is our guard. As His child, how do you respond to this truth?

Verse 9 gives us David’s response: Therefore, because of the truths stated before, his heart is glad and his glory (soul or the whole person) rejoices; his flesh also will dwell securely.

The word ‘glad’, from the Hebrew samach, means to brighten up, to be gleesome, to cheer up, to make merry, to cause to rejoice.

The Psalmist says ‘his glory rejoices’ meaning his soul or his whole person is joyful. He is always full of God’s presence, always considering how to please Him. Some commentaries say this also means his tongue is being used to praise God.

Acts 2:25-28 "For David says of Him, 'I SAW THE LORD ALWAYS IN MY PRESENCE; FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN. 'THEREFORE MY HEART WAS GLAD AND MY TONGUE EXULTED; MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE; BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES, NOR ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY. 'YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE.'

How big is your God? Can He do all things? If we understand God as David did, then just a glimpse of God’s goodness, protection, righteousness, and love, will cause us to be overwhelmingly filled with the joy that comes from knowing Him. We will be filled with peace in all circumstances because our confidence and hope rests in our Lord and Savior. We need to take the time to stop and remember what we have been given in Christ, what it means to be a child of God.

My husband recalls having a conversation with a gentleman who believes in Hinduism. As my husband explained that God’s love is so great for us that He sent His Son to die for us, the man answered emphatically that His god is so great that he would in no way choose to die. Think! Is it more difficult to lay aside your deity to save the souls of those you love, or to magnify yourself and watch others suffer and perish? True love, true greatness, willingly places others first to serve them, it is not selfish and does not seek to control.

Think of your past week. What has been filling your heart?

Consider what it means to be under the influence of something. The definition of rejoice in verse 9 can literally mean ‘to spin around’; ‘under the influence of any violent emotion’. Form a mental picture of this – someone spinning around with their arms outstretched – what a wonderful emotion this portrays. The word violent is typically associated with negative things. It also can mean an ‘emotionally intense, strong feeling; passionate, powerful’.

What, in your life, is powerful enough to control your thinking and your actions?

As God’s children we should be ridiculously joyful, completely filled by Him as we come before Him in worship, fully intoxicated by His love for us and His power in our lives and in the world.

“My glory – my tongue…declares my inward joy…the outward demonstrations of it”, John Wesley’s Notes on the Old and New Testaments.

Psalm 30:12 That [my] soul may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to Thee forever.

Psalm 57:7-11 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! Awake, my glory; awake, harp and lyre, I will awaken the dawn! I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to Thee among the nations. For Thy lovingkindness is great to the heavens, and Thy truth to the clouds. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; [Let] Thy glory [be] above all the earth.

The last part of Psalm 16:9 reads, “my flesh also will dwell securely”.

“Also will dwell [shall rest], means to reside or permanently stay; to abide, to continue, to remain, to rest.

The Psalmist has the certain hope that when he dies his flesh will be resurrected to a living hope. His salvation is secure.

How secure are you in Christ’s love for you, in His redemptive plan?

Do you have a certain hope and assurance of your salvation?

Psalm 108:1 My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul.

“Oh, for such holy faith in the prospect of trial and of death! It is the work of faith, not merely to create a peace which passeth all understanding, but to fill the heart full of gladness until the tongue, which, as the organ of an intelligent creature, is our glory, bursts forth in notes of harmonious praise. Faith gives us living joy, and bestows dying rest”, Treasury of David.

Because of Jesus …

In the first seven verses of Psalm 16, we have learned –

God is our refuge,

All goodness is because of Him,

We are to delight in serving one another,

Denying God will end in sorrow,

We have an inheritance in heaven,

God gives us instruction, and

God is our secure foundation.

These blessings assume we have bowed to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, having placed our sole/soul dependance on the work of His death and resurrection for the payment of our sin. The warning of sorrow is for those who have denied God’s truths. The instruction in God’s word is given as a road map, directing God’s children how to live in a manner which brings Him glory. In an ever-changing world, God is our solid Rock, the hope on which we stand.

David is certain of the Lord’s counsel and instruction in his life.

How does he gain this assurance?

Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

First, David is focused on God continually.

Have you ever had something you could just not stop thinking about? Sometimes a tune might be going over and over in your mind or perhaps something someone said or did. In any case, these things present themselves with great frequency, almost without interruption. Here’s another way to think about this. You’re in a public place and amongst all the people; a fly decides you are the one it will bother. It persistently buzzes around your face as you swat at it, but it continues to bother you. This is a negative application of persistence, but the idea is the relentless reminder of its presence. When David says he has set the Lord continually before him, he is thinking upon God literally all the time. God’s truth is always before him, affecting each thought, each action, and every decision. God is his focus.

“ … so a faithful Christian man, whether he abound in wealth or be pinched with poverty, whether he be of high or low degree in this world, ought continually to have his faith and hope surely built and grounded upon Christ, and to have his heart and mind fast fixed and settled in Him, … never to lose sight and view of Christ, never to give over faith, hope, and trust in Him”, Robert Cawdray, The Treasury of David.

Isaiah 26:8-9a Indeed, [while following] the way of Thy judgments, O LORD, we have waited for Thee eagerly; Thy name, even Thy memory, is the desire of [our] souls. At night my soul longs for Thee, indeed, my spirit within me seeks Thee diligently;

Remember, the first verse of Psalm 16 says ‘for I take refuge in Thee’. God is our protection, our hope, and our strength. Our trust belongs to Him alone. But we must stay focused on Him. We walk away from the hedge of protection He gives to us when we follow our own will instead of His. In verse 8 of this Psalm, David knows he will remain in God’s strength because he has set his focus on Him continually.

Think back upon decisions you have made, words you have shared, thoughts you have entertained, and actions you have chosen that have not honored God. In every instance, you should be able to recognize that you were not seeking His guidance sincerely. We have a foolproof plan of protection from being caught up in sin. However, when our selfish desires beckon and we look away from the Light for just a moment – that is when we fail. When we neglect the necessity of our involvement in a church body, true Biblical teaching, accountability, fellowship, and loving correction from fellow believers, we leave ourselves vulnerable to the offerings of the world. Consider, most individuals don’t choose to lie, cheat, or steal, or even have an affair, instead they gradually convince themselves these things are okay, they justify sin because they are weak and have left themselves unprotected against Satan’s manipulation. Pride takes over and we begin to think, ‘I would never do that’. If you depend on your own strength, you are wide open to failure, and without Christ you will fall into the practice of sin just as the world does.

Consider, do you have close friends who will hold you accountable and ask hard questions?

Have you gradually pulled yourself away from fellowship thinking you don’t need it?

Do you convince yourself you are doing okay on your own?

Are you unable to forgive others for their offenses against you, and you remain isolated because of this?

In all these situations, if you answer yes, you are doing a good job at leaving yourself vulnerable and you are thinking too highly of yourself when you say you are okay without fellowship and serving alongside other believers. There is a reason God set up our church family with each individual offering different strengths and talents. Together we make a whole.

In John Wesley’s Notes regarding the words ‘I have set’, he says it means ‘I have always presented him [the Lord] to my mind, as my witness and judge, as my patron and protector’… Christ as man did always set his father's will and glory before him.

Acts 2:25, “For David says of Him, ‘I WAS ALWAYS BEHOLDING THE LORD IN MY PRESENCE; FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, THAT I MAY NOT BE SHAKEN’.

We are to always consider God in all circumstances. Notice the constant reliance upon God. This is different than only seeking His help when we encounter trials or praising His name when we recognize blessings. We need to be discerning in our words, thoughts, and actions. For instance, my husband was a college professor for almost forty years. He always left his office door open when he met with a female student. He never wanted to give any appearance that would mar his Christian profession.

“David did not by fits and starts set the Lord before him; but he "always" set the Lord before him in his course; he had his eye upon the Lord, and so much the Hebrew word imports: I have equally set the Lord before me; that is the force of the original word, that is, I have set the Lord before me, at one time as well as another, without any irregular affections or passions, etc. In every place, in every condition, in every company, in every employment, and in every enjoyment, I have set the Lord equally before me; and this raised him, and this will raise any Christian, by degrees, to a very great height of holiness”, Thomas Brooks in The Treasury of David.

If you are of an older generation, you may remember the commercial for Calgon, a foaming milk bath. In the 1970-1980’s, the “Calgon Take Me Away” campaign focused on a moment of relaxation from the world’s cares. These advertisements were very successful, in large part because people could relate to the stresses of life. The flesh response to trouble is to be shaken and become disengaged; to run away from circumstances when it becomes difficult. The believer’s response to trouble is to be strengthened in their dependence on Christ and trust in His protection and plan.

The example we have from the Psalmist is to set our sights on the Lord. Christ, while on this earth, kept his eyes and purpose set on His Father’s will. “David might perhaps have some regard to his own hope and experience in these verses: but doubtless Christ was especially intended. – As man, He relied on the power, truth, love and promise of the Father: therefore He was not moved in His deepest sufferings; but “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, and despised the shame”, Thomas Scott.

How easy is it for us to lose our focus on what is truly important?

Setting our eyes on Jesus is a purposed effort. It is a choice we can make because His Spirit is working in us giving us the strength and desire to do God’s will. When something doesn’t go as expected we can either focus on the problem or we can remember our true purpose on this earth. If we are determined to honor God, we will look at the perfect example of His Son. He came to serve – not Himself, but others, and to do the will of His Father in heaven. Jesus is the example of holiness we are to follow.

If we constantly keep our eyes on Jesus, we will not fall off the course He has intended for us. There is great value in receiving counsel from God’s word and God’s children.

God has a perfect design for His creation and His children. Consider this, a marathon runner keeps their eyes on the goal of finishing. Along the trail, they may become weary, they may be injured, or even take a wrong turn. Those who finish keep going, they do not lose sight of the purpose and they push forward through all kinds of difficulty. We can trust that God will guard our steps and give us the strength to follow Him.

The things we put in our mind often are the things which affect us most. When my thoughts are on Jesus, my heart will be turned towards His promises, His faithfulness, His strength, and His purpose for my life.

Isaiah 26:8 Indeed, [while following] the way of Thy judgments, O LORD, we have waited for Thee eagerly; Thy name, even Thy memory, is the desire of [our] souls.

When my eyes are on God as my protector, I will not be shaken; with my eyes on God as my purpose, I will stay the course. Are you willing to ask the Holy Spirit moment by moment to be your guide in all Truth and wisdom? What do the priorities in your life say about you? Are there things that have captured your interest and are bigger and more important than your relationship with God?

Psalm 73:24-25 With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven [but Thee]? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth.

Second, David gains the assurance of God’s help through God’s strength. Because the Lord is at his right hand, he will not be shaken.

Being at the right hand of someone implies strength. God is the strength that causes David to stay on course, to be steadfast. With God’s presence and His help, we can be certain that we are safe and secure. As God’s children we can trust in Him to guard us. When we stay focused on Him, desiring to please Him in all things, we will not fail.

Psalm 73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou hast taken hold of my right hand.

Psalm 62:6-7 He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory [rest]; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

Psalm 121:5 The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand.

Through all circumstances we are to keep God’s will and glory in our sight. We have the assurance of His presence and help in our trials to strengthen and guide us. We are promised a future in heaven with our Savior and Lord.

The Lord is our confidence on earth and our certain hope of heaven.

Psalm 62:5-7 My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.

All because of Jesus.

Perfect Counsel and Instruction

There is nothing we bring to Him that He needs yet He brings everything to us that we need. There is nothing we do apart from Him that is good yet everything we do in Him is because of His goodness and for His glory.

Psalm 16:7 I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.

The first thing we read is David says he will bless the LORD. This is an act of adoration which is different than the way we might think of God blessing us. God bestows His grace and mercy on our lives constantly. We often pray for blessing – for health, in relationships, and provision, etc. God’s blessings and His acts of lovingkindness, improve our lives on earth.

When David writes that ‘he will bless the Lord’, it is not that he is benefiting God in any way – God is complete in and of Himself. Looking back at verse two in this same chapter, we learn that we bring no benefit to God, we cannot improve who He is; He is perfect in all things.

Psalm 16:2 I said to the LORD, “Thou art my Lord; I have no good besides Thee.”

“There is nothing we bring to Him that He needs yet He brings everything to us that we need. There is nothing we do apart from Him that is good yet everything we do in Him is because of His goodness and for His glory. God is the source of anything good in our life. It is a greater fact that we are allowed to serve Him than what we might offer Him in our service”, (WBS, Week 2, Ps 16, v.2-5).

Blessing the Lord means that we bring Him our adoration. We praise Him and thank Him for who He is and what He has done. In order to say I will bless the Lord, we must understand who He is and what He has done for us. To adore God and to bless God, means to love Him, to worship Him, to glorify Him, and to honor Him.

Read the verse which comes before our studied text, Psalm 16:6 “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me”. In this verse, we learned about the certain hope we have in our inheritance in Christ. Think again how utterly magnificent it is that God chose you to be His child, to grant you His protection, to provide all that is necessary for you to honor Him with your life on this earth, and to give you the promise of eternal life. God deserves our praise!

The Psalmist David honors God for His counsel. He says, “I will bless the Lord who has counseled me”. To get counsel from someone means to get their advice on a matter. It is good for us to seek counsel from those who have more experience or wisdom in certain matters.

Where and why have you sought counsel in the past?

We seek advice often in our lives. We look for help in raising children, in moving, in changing employers, and acquiring medical treatment. When we get counsel from others, we hope they are right. We take the counsel we are given, then we do our best to decipher the good from the bad, and we make decisions, sometimes with our fingers crossed behind our backs! When I was a young single mom with three small children, I relied heavily on the wisdom of others. At that time I could barely keep everyone fed and clothed. I certainly was unable to make serious decisions on my own!

Think! Has every piece of advice you have received from others been right? Of course the answer is no. Man’s skill to understand is limited. It is flawed with personal opinion and built on incomplete information because we simply cannot know all things. Man’s counsel is often influenced by experience. For instance, someone may be looking for a career in construction. As they approach one individual who has found success in this type of job, they may receive glowing reports of the industry and opportunities available. However, if they ask questions of someone who has had negative experiences, they might become quite discouraged as they are persuaded to seek another type of employment. The counsel they receive is wrought with subjective interpretation.

There is only One who has perfect counsel. God’s truths offer us perfectly guided instruction without the inconsistency and instability of human reason. His plans are without error; they are sure. We do not need to wonder if following God’s commands will work. We can be absolutely confident in the truths of His word. We fail because we are unable to perfectly understand and execute His commands. However, this does not mean we just give up without having hope – it does mean we place our hope and trust in the work of His Holy Spirit. If we remain yielded to God, He will fulfill His work in our lives. Paul wrote this encouragement to the church in Philippi.

Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Psalm 19:7-10 speaks of the perfection and power of God’s word.

Psalm 19:7-10 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

According to Psalm 19:7-10, God’s ways are perfect, they are sure, they give wisdom, they are right, they are without error, they are eternal, and they are true. We are warned of the consequences of not following God and we are reminded of the rewards of keeping His commands.

Perhaps you have heard the saying ‘to devise a plan’. God has a purposed plan for our lives and for the world. He already has everything figured out for us. He conceived of His plan and set it into motion before we existed, and it will continue. His plan and perfect counsel is given to us in His Word and through His Holy Spirit. In a world filled with uncertainty, where almost nothing goes according to our plan, we can rest and trust in God’s guidance.

How do you show your adoration of God? Do you recognize He has a perfect plan? Where do you go for counsel?

We have the best counseling tool in the world – God’s word and His Holy Spirit to interpret it. As we seek Him, He will give us understanding of how to live for Him. And for those times you are unable to think correctly for yourself, He gives us individuals who genuinely seek to follow Him and readily share their support and advice based on God’s truth.

Proverbs 28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand all things.

Psalm 119:104 From Thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth [come] knowledge and understanding.

The second part of verse 7 says, “Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night”.

The translation of instruction, from the Hebrew word yacar, means instruction by chastisement, correction, punishment, reforming, reproving, or teaching. The following verses speak of teaching and correction from God.

Psalm 17:3 Thou hast tried my heart; Thou hast visited [me] by night; Thou hast tested me and dost find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart.

Whenever we begin a sentence with the words, ‘I think’, we need to be certain our thoughts are based on the truth in God’s word. It does not really matter what I think, it completely matters what God says. God will give us wisdom as we seek Him. He alone knows our true thoughts and affections. He will instruct us how to please Him. Psalm 16:7 uses the phrase, ‘in the night’. This refers to those seasons of adversity when things seem difficult. Even then, we are secure in Him; He will bring to mind His instruction. He is faithful to show us where we need to re-think our thoughts and/or actions. We do not always have to figure out all the answers, we need to have faith that God knows our heart and will exact His purpose. We can have peace that His plan will prevail. Our goal is to give Him blessing and honor through all circumstances as we seek to follow His instruction.

A Delightful Inheritance

You will be able to see His faithfulness as He blesses your desire to live for His glory. You will be able to see His love as He matures you in your trust as you walk through circumstances that are challenging.

God is our Protector. Everything good is from God. Delight is found in serving one another. Choosing to not follow God will end in sorrow. God will give us all we need, He is our inheritance, and we are sustained by Him. These are truths from Psalm 16:1-5 which we have learned. We continue to look at our heritage, or inheritance, in verse 6.

Psalm 16:6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.

David is referring to the previous verse, Ps 16:5 – the full portion of his inheritance in Christ – and is giving his testimony of God’s blessings and faithfulness; He is witnessing to the truth of God’s love. The ‘lines’ are his measured portion or inheritance. David uses a term that is familiar to his readers at the time – measuring lines were used in the distribution of the land among the Israelites when their land was divided by lots. David’s lot, or life, is blessed with the presence and knowledge of God.

Consider the defining terms from Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary of the words and phrases in this verse:

Lines (chebel), a rope, a measuring line; by implication, an inheritance

Have fallen to me (naphal), to cast down, to be accepted, to cause, to present

Pleasant places (na’iym), delightful, pleasant, sweet

Re-wording the first part of verse 6 using the defined terms reads like this –

My inheritance in Christ has been presented to me and it is delightful.

David’s words in Psalm 16:6 are part of his testimony of God’s work and faithfulness. It is evidence of what he has seen; it supports the truth of God’s faithfulness.

In what ways do you see God’s faithfulness in your life?

What evidence do you have that He is working in you?

The inheritance we have in Christ is something we claim now and look forward to in the future. Through Jesus’ death on the cross we are justified – made right through His payment for our sin. While we await heaven, we are being sanctified – which means we are growing in holiness and one day will stand righteous before God. The testimony of God’s work in our lives is ongoing.

Therefore, we should be able to add to our testimony each day. David is experiencing hardship at the time of this writing, yet we see him looking to God with confidence and hope. He looks to God for his portion and happiness. He strives to focus on God’s blessings now and in the future. He attributes all he has to God, giving God the glory and honor.

If you are in God’s word, and enjoying fellowship with Him, then you will have recent testimony of His working in your life. You will be able to clearly see His hand directing your choices each day. You will be able to see His faithfulness as He blesses your desire to live for His glory. You will be able to see His love as He matures you in your trust as you walk through circumstances that are challenging.

How does the knowledge of God’s faithfulness affect your outlook on things?

When you think of the future and the place Jesus has secured for you in heaven for eternity, how does it change your concern for circumstances in your life today?

Periodically, our economy takes a nosedive. When this happens, most everyone is affected or at least knows of someone who is affected in some way. Either by the loss of a job, loss of income, loss of equity in investments, and so on. During these times, there are reports of individuals who become severely depressed, even committing suicide, because of their sudden losses. Many people have an inability to cope with the idea of not being in control of their future. This happens when security is placed in the things of this world, the stuff we have on earth.

Consider – what is the one thing that does not change?

How secure is your future? Are you able to support your answer?

“Our Lord was poorer than we are, for he had not where to lay his head, and yet when he mentioned his poverty he never used a word of murmuring; discontented spirits are as unlike Jesus as the croaking raven is unlike the cooing dove… The sense of our Father's love is like honey at the end of every rod; it turns stones into bread, and water into wine, and the valley of trouble into a door of hope”, The Treasury of David.

Psalm 16:6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.

A heritage is something inherited. To inherit means to receive something when somebody dies, to become the owner of what was theirs to give.

What happened when Jesus died on the cross?

Colossians 1:19-22 For it was the [Father's] good pleasure for all the fulness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say], whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, [engaged] in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—

What happens when someone accepts the free gift of God offered through His Son’s death?

Ephesians 1:11-14 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of [God's own] possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:18-19a [I pray that] the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Our heritage is described as beautiful. In Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary, this comes from the word shaphar, which literally means to glisten. Our future shines brightly! There is no question to the outcome of our future. We have the assurance that it will be bright.

What is your response to this truth? How does this information affect your thoughts? Your actions? Your purpose? Your disposition?

Forever Secure

God will sustain us. He will prevail over all adversity.

You may have noticed I am toggling back and forth between 1 Peter and Psalm 16 right now, with an occasional study on current topical circumstances. Last week I posted a study titled God’s Own Possession taken from 1 Peter 2:9. This is where we are currently studying in our Women’s Bible Study which meets each week. I also get to meet with a group of people once a month in an assisted living center where we are going through Psalm 16. I have posted previous studies on this Psalm. Below is a quick review of the first four verses.

The Truths we have learned –

God is our protection (v.1)

God is the source of all that is good (v.2)

Because of God we take pleasure in serving one another (v.3)

Those who do not follow God will reap sorrow (v.4)

In Psalm 16:5 we read that God will sustain us now and forever.

Psalm 16:5 The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; Thou dost support my lot.

The word portion is translated from the Hebrew word manah, meaning something weighed out, a division, specifically of food, a ration. When the nation of Israel wandered in the desert, God supplied their food daily in the form of manna. He was their only source of provision. David understood this truth.

Who or what is your source of provision? Do you look to things or to God for your daily bread? Not just what you eat, but for everything needed to sustain you physically and spiritually? Does your strength for each day come from His grace in your life affecting your thoughts, actions, words, and purpose?

“The Lord of heaven and earth is the God whom I serve: he who is the supreme dispenser of all things hath given me a kingdom for my portion, where he himself is worshipped; and he will defend and maintain my title to it while I adhere to him”, Patrick/Lowth/Whitby/Lowman Commentary.

We do not often speak of Asaph, pronounced aw-sawf. He was one of the leaders of David’s choir. He wrote Psalms 50 and 73-83 and was later celebrated as a prophet as well as a musical composer.

Read what Asaph writes in Psalm 73:26 – My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. The Psalmist knows he is unable to rely upon himself. He turns to God for his strength and sufficiency. God provides comfort and will meet all our needs in times of distress.

Psalm 62:7 On God my salvation and my glory [rest]; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?

Lamentations 3:24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."

Look a bit closer at the above scriptures.

Our salvation and confidence rests upon God
He is our strength and refuge
The Lord is our light and salvation
There is no reason to fear
He is our defense
He is everything we need
God is the source of our hope, and He is our inheritance.

How does understanding these truths affect your life each day?

“We, too, can make our boast in the Lord; he is the meat and the drink of our souls. He is our portion, supplying all our necessities, and our cup yielding royal luxuries; our cup in this life, and our inheritance in the life to come. As children of the Father who is in heaven, we inherit, by virtue of our joint heirship with Jesus, all the riches of the covenant of grace; and the portion which falls to us sets upon our table the bread of heaven and the new wine of the kingdom. Who would not be satisfied with such dainty diet? Our shallow cup of sorrow we may well drain with resignation, since the deep cup of love stands side by side with it, and will never be empty”, The Treasury of David.

Where do you look for fulfillment?

We look to many things for pleasure. Perhaps you like to read or watch television or see a movie. You might look to the next time family or friends visit. A delicious meal, nice weather, and traveling are things people look forward to. You may think of certain hobbies or sports teams you keep track of. Each of these things are enjoyable. However, they are all temporary. If we are looking to our fulfillment in relationships or things that are fleeting, what happens to our joy? It ebbs and flows like the tide in the ocean. Our time then is spent seeking our next moment of pleasure rather than the security and fulfillment we have in Christ.

Lasting joy is based on God who is always with us and always the same. The Lord Jehovah is our everything. In Him, there is everything we need now and for the future. He will give us the exact portion of what is needed – not too much, not too little – to walk through each circumstance in our lives in a way that will honor Him. Even when we experience sorrow or hardship, the love we have from God will never cease or run empty.

‘Thou dost support my lot.’ God will sustain us. In Him there is security. He will prevail over all adversity. If you are His child, there is no question of your eternal security in heaven. Think of God’s attributes.

He is LOVE, 1John 4:8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

He is ETERNAL, Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were born, or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.

He is OMNIPOTENT (all powerful), Jeremiah 32:27 "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"

He is ONMISCIENT (all knowing), Psalm 139:1-4 O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known [me]. Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar. Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all.

He is OMNIPRESENT (always present everywhere), Psalm 139:7-10 Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Thy hand will lead me, and Thy right hand will lay hold of me.

He is IMMUTABLE (never changing), James 1:17 Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.

He is JUST (perfect in judgment), Deuteronomy 32:4 "The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.

He is GRACIOUS (displaying compassion), Exodus 34:6-7a Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin;

He is FAITHFUL, 1Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

He is MERCIFUL, Psalm 86:5 For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon Thee.

What an amazing God we have! Look at David’s words again in Psalm 16:5.

The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; Thou dost support my lot.

Can you say this with confidence?

Is God your everything – for now and for the future?

What is your hope?

Do you believe in His promise to sustain you through all things?

Stop for a moment and praise God for who He is and what He has done for you. God’s peace will surround you at all times and through all circumstances if you remain focused on Him and your future in heaven.

You can be certain of your future in heaven if you have called upon His name as Lord and Savior and placed your complete trust in Jesus alone for forgiveness of your sin and His promise of salvation.

Category: Psalm 16

Show Me, Guide Me

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Are You Secure?

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My Heart is Glad

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Because of Jesus …

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Perfect Counsel and Instruction

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A Delightful Inheritance

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Forever Secure

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