Psalm 16

“For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell” (vs. 1-11)—It’s possible that this psalm is totally Messianic and applies solely to Jesus. Verse 10 definitely refers to Christ, because Peter quotes it in Acts 2 and applies it to the resurrection of Jesus. But more than likely, David is referring to himself here and his ultimate release from death is a type of Christ’s. However, it is important to realize the Messianic teaching found in the psalm.

David begins the psalm with a request for protection based upon his trust in God (v. 1). He expects that the Lord will do as he asks because He delights in His “saints” (v. 3). Those who “hasten after another god” will have their sorrows “multiplied” (v. 4). But the Lord is with His people. There can be no goodness apart from Him (v. 2). He is our “portion” and our “cup”; He sustains us (v. 5). He guides our lives so that we may have “a good inheritance” (v. 6). He directs us with His counsel (v. 7), thus teaching our hearts how to act properly. If we set Him before us, He will be at our right hand and “I shall not be moved” (v. 8). Thus, we can be glad, rejoice, and rest in hope (v. 9). He will eventually raise us from the dead (v. 10), and that is because of what Jesus did as the first fruits from the dead. But while on earth, the Lord will “show me the path of life.” In His presence there is “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore” (v. 11). Again we see David’s undying faith and trust in God, not only for the needs of this life, but for deliverance after death. But without the redeeming work of Christ and His resurrection from “Sheol” and “corruption,” none of this would be possible (v. 10). David’s belief that God is in his life, in toto, is a good illustration for us to believe the same thing.