Notes on Psalm 16

(Psa 16:1) Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

A request for God to preserve and care for his soul. He claims complete trust in the Lord.

(Psa 16:2) O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

Any goodness that we may have cannot even begin to compare to the goodness and greatness of God.

(Psa 16:3) But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

We can show goodness to the fellow believers here on earth. We should rejoice when we observe those who are faithfully serving the Lord.

(Psa 16:4) Their 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.

We are not to encourage and be in agreement with those that serve other gods. Whether the gods be idols or another person that has exalted him or herself in the place of God. There is only one Lord eternally existing in three persons, The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. How do I know this?

The true gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God is the only one that provides the power to save the soul, deliver from sin and grant eternal life to the receiver based not on our own works of righteousness but on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We trust in Jesus for our eternal salvation instead of trying to work our way to Heaven by our own goodness. We cannot ever be good enough to inherit eternal life and be free from sin. God had to send someone to save us from sin and be good for us.

God's part - Sent Jesus to become flesh. Jesus paid the price for our sins by dying on the cross. Jesus rose from the dead to usher in eternal life for all who believe in Him.

Our part - Repent (turn from) sin and believe on Jesus Christ for our salvation.

God's part - Sends the Holy Spirit into our innermost being in which we become born again by the Spirit.

Our Part - Receive this

God's part - Empower us with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Our Part - To receive this

God gives, we receive. If we refuse and abide in unbelief, we abide in sin and there is no other way to be saved. Sin takes us to hell. That is why God sent us someone to save us from sin.

(Psa 16:5) The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

(Psa 16:6) The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

When we come to God, He becomes our inheritance. Nothing else really matters for all other things are temporary. Our treasure is now in Heaven where no thief can steal. He is our life, our salvation, our joy and our deliverer.

(Psa 16:7) I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

God will give us His Holy Spirit to teach and instruct us in righteousness. We are to live holy after receiving Jesus Christ. He gives us the instructions and power to do this.

(Psa 16:8) I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

(Psa 16:9) Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

He is our hope.

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

He is always with those that believe in Him

(Psa 16:10) For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

This first of all is the prophecy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The body did not suffer corruption but also the soul of Jesus did not stay in hell. This also is a promise to all who believe in the One who was raised from the dead. We will also be raised from the dead. Actually water baptism is a type of being raised from the dead. We are buried with Him in baptism and raised out of the water symbolizing the time when we are buried and raise from the dead in the future. Also it is the type of being dead in trespasses and sins and raised in the newness of life. The natural water does not actually save but is a symbol of the salvation that takes place in the inner man (woman) which is the new birth. All this comes by faith in Jesus Christ.

1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1Pe 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
1Pe 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Many do not know that when the body of Christ was in the grave, His spirit was in hell preaching to those who died previously to this event in history. When someone asks a question about those that died before Jesus Christ came, this is the answer.

This is one proof that the soul does not sleep in the grave but immediately at the death of the body, the soul goes to either heaven or hell. This is only one proof, there are more.

(Psa 16:11) Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

This should make us leap for joy. Seeking God is the way to receive the word. He will show us the path of life. In His presence, both now and in eternity is fullness of joy. At His right hand is everlasting pleasure and joy.

Future judgment of God:

Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Mat 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Our duty to the poor and suffering is continual until the Lord comes again. This means that we are responsible for the spiritual food and the natural food for those that have not yet received the word of God and for those who are needy in food, shelter and clothing.

Every human being needs first the spiritual: Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and the physical: food, shelter, and clothing. We must not neglect on or the other. Perhaps this is why some churches emphasize one and some emphasize the other. It is best if we can do both.

Psalm 17

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