United Commentaries

Ps.15.1-19.14

The psalms in this section affirm integrity and purity (17:15; 18:20-26; 19:13-14). They refer to people as dwelling in God’s presence (16:9-11; 17:15) and as not being shaken (15:5; 16:8).

Ps.16.1-11

In this psalm of confidence, the poet moves quickly from a short petition (16:1), to expressions of passionate commitment to God and his people (16:2-6), to a conclusion of confident praise (16:7-11).

Ps.16.1

The psalmist feels safe because the Lord alone offers security (16:5-6), guidance (16:7-8), and the joy of his presence (16:9-11).

Ps.16.2

I said to the Lord: The various writers of the psalms pray, lament, and praise the Lord throughout the Psalter, and the Lord answers them (see 12:5-6).

Ps.16.4

The psalmist dissociates himself from ungodly worship, rituals, and words (see 15:3-5).

Ps.16.5

The cup of blessing represents God’s provision for all the psalmist’s needs (23:5; see 116:13; cp. 75:8; Isa 51:17).

Ps.16.6

The land is God’s gift for his people (Deut 18:8).

Ps.16.7-8

God’s instruction brings life (16:11; see 5:8; 23:1-3; 32:8; 73:24).

The psalmist so deeply depends on the Lord for strength and joy that he senses that God is right beside him (16:11; see 73:23; 109:31; 110:1, 5; 121:5).

Peter quoted 16:8-11 in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:25-28).

Ps.16.9-11

Knowing that not even death can separate him from the Lord strengthens the psalmist’s confidence. He fears a separation (see 13:3-4), but he remains confident of seeing the Lord (see 11:7).

Ps.16.10

The psalmist expresses his confidence that life continues beyond death. The apostles applied this text to the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:25-33; 13:35).

Ps.16.11

with you: See 16:7-8; 110:1.