Psalm 16 is a Miktam. We don’t know what that Hebrew word means, but it could suggest music in a “plaintive” style or a contemplative poem. This psalm is about God’s protection, praise, and provision. It is about how to live life in the here and now, and how to be assured of the quality of life in heaven.
1 – 2
Shaw-mar (protect) means “to hedge about with thorns.” In an episode of Survivor the contestants were in Africa and at one point they heard lions roaming around outside of their camp at night. To protect themselves they built an acacia thorn hedge or fence around their shelter. For believers, we know our real enemy, Satan, “prowls about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). But the Lord surrounds us with a thorny hedge so that he cannot get to us. We have made Him our refuge.
David declares that the only good thing in his life is his God and that God is his lord, his master, his king. This is a very good truth for us to always keep close. Is God your Lord and do you indeed know that He is the only really truly good thing in your life? All good comes from that relationship.
3 – 4
In verses 3 through 5 David is basically saying that he identifies with those who similarly have placed their trust in the Lord and refuses to go along with those who worship other gods. This too is very important thing for us today. Our culture demands that we bow to other gods like money, beauty, physical ability, promiscuity, or intellectualism. None of these are wrong on their face, but if we worship them, they become our god. We have something else to hold on to.
5 – 6
Jesus said: (Matthew 6:19-21) "Don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Is your heart seeking to get satisfaction with the things this culture has to offer, or are you looking for an eternal inheritance from God? What is that inheritance, by the way? It is a relationship with God. David calls this inheritance “beautiful.”
I love too how David says that “you hold my future.” Do you trust God with your future or are you trying to manipulate your own?
7 – 8
Essentially here David is saying that at night, when he meditates on God’s Word, the Lord speaks to him and guides him through his conscience. And following God’s wisdom is always the way of security!
9 – 11
David finishes the psalm that not only is he secure now in his relationship with God on this earth but that he can trust God to take care of Him during and after death. Verse 10 is a Messianic prophecy used to support the idea of resurrection. But it also gives us hope that if we love God He will never abandon us but gives us a “path of life.” That path we know now is through Jesus Christ, and what a path it is.
Look at the end of verse 11. What awaits us when we die: abundant joy and eternal pleasures. In this age our culture tries to get us to satisfy needs through ways that are not only contrary to God’s character but also temporary. If we entrust ourselves totally into God’s hands then we have a promise that for all of eternity we will be in God’s presence, in the fullness of joy and pleasure!
We are faced with a choice often times in this age. The culture values youth, beauty, wealth, and power. It’s like the rich young ruler who came to Jesus in Matthew 19 wanting to be justified. Jesus told him that he needed to let go of his god – his power (through his wealth). Later, Jesus’ disciples said to the Lord “we’ve left everything, so what is there for us?” Jesus said: (Matthew 19:29-30) And everyone who has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, children, or fields because of My name will receive 100 times more and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
We will suffer grief and loss here on this planet as we choose to follow Jesus instead of the pattern of this age. But in this promise, Jesus tells us that any loss here is infinitely worth it based on what we get with a relationship with the Lord of the universe!
Psalm 17
Psalm 17 really picks up the same theme as Psalm 16—comparing what we see in the age around us compared to what we have as an inheritance in the Lord. Whereas Psalm 16 was more about the worship of other gods, Psalm 17 is about when the wicked of this age focus on those who follow God. In both instances we need not worry—God has great things in store for us!
1 – 5
Essentially David is saying that he has done some self-examination and has a clear motivation in coming before the Lord. That’s not to say David is perfect, but he has not been convicted by the Lord on anything in this instance.
How do we know when our cause is just—when our “lips are free from deceit” and our “mouth will not sin”?
1.David is honest with God, not trying to ask for one thing but wanting another (vs 1)
2.He trusts in God’s way, not his own (vs 2)
3.He has dedicated his inward motivations to God (vs 3)
4.He has dedicated his words to God (vs 3)
5.He has listened and applied God’s Word to his life (vs 4)
6.He has dedicated his actions to God (vs 4, 5)
7.He desires to follow God’s character in all things (vs 5)
6
Verse six is a key: David calls on God because God will answer. We can choose to get our answers by our own strength or by this age, but David knew the one and only source for him was his Lord.
7 – 12
What are the “wonders” of those whom God loves? We see it in the verbs: “Save”, “Guard”, “Hide”. He then describes how his enemies seem to see victory against him is at hand. In the end there are two kinds of people, those that love God and those that “rebel against Your right hand.” (verse 7).
I love the pictures here: we all guard our pupils instinctively. The “shadow of Your wings” suggests a mother bird hiding her chicks.
13
In verse 11 it is the enemy who is trying to trip David up and throw him to the ground, but in verse 13 it is God whom David implores to “bring him down.”
14
Verse 14 should really be all of our prayers – “Lord, save me from those who think that this life and this age are all that is and seek to get their security and satisfaction here rather than looking to what awaits those who trust in You!”
Though by the world’s standards they seem to have plenty, it will all be for nothing.
I’m reminded of: 1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.
“You fill their bellies…” suggests that God fills them with the punishment for their acts, so much so that it will continue for generations.
So what do we get out of our relationship with God? That’s the final verse, and it’s wonderful
15
When Moses asked to see God he got this reply: Exodus 33:20 "You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live." The only way you can see God is if you are perfect. The fact that David knows he will see God’s face means he will be perfect—thanks to the sacrifice of David’s son, Jesus the Messiah. David, and all those who love the Messiah, have already died and been brought back to life.
Seeing the face of God can also mean seeing His favor, ie: deliverance from his enemies.
But I like the idea of life with God especially in light of the next verse. We will all sleep in death, but when we open our eyes in heaven we will find true and lasting satisfaction “with Your presence.” I love that. It isn’t the riches of heaven or the scenery or our jobs or possessions—it is the presence of God for all of eternity that satisfies.
So if you love the things of this age realize that it has an expiration date. But a relationship with God will satisfy forever! Heaven will have all of the goodness and none of the badness of this age.
So how do we pray and know that God hears?
1.Pray in Jesus name – He won’t hear you unless it is through Jesus
2.Pray “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done”
