Psalm 16

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 16:4

In contrast to these godly saints are those who trade worship of the true God for what they think they will gain from following other gods (i.e., apostates). However, they only receive multiplied sorrows. David refused to join them in worshipping false gods, or even mentioning them, because he found what they were doing so distasteful. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 16:5-6

David spoke with satisfaction of the Lord as something that someone had given him. He compared God to a valuable inheritance passed on to him by his ancestors, and to wine in a cup that brings great joy and satisfaction to the one who drinks it. He also gave God credit for supporting him in his lot in life. The lines marking the boundaries of David’s inheritance (i.e., God’s will) had turned out to be good lines since they prescribed a great inheritance. Compared to a piece of real estate such... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 16:7

In view of this delight, David purposed to bless or praise the Lord. This is the first of many references to blessing or praising the Lord in the Book of Psalms. To bless God means to speak well of Him and thus to praise Him.God had counseled David through His Word. David received counsel from God through the previously written books of the Old Testament, through other prophets such as Nathan and Gad, and through personal revelations. David himself was a prophet as well as a king. It is... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 16:8

Because the Lord Himself was the main focus of David’s attention and satisfaction, he knew no one would shake him in any major way from his stability in life (cf. Psalms 15:5 c). David described giving God first place in his life as having placed God at his right hand, the place of greatest honor and authority in the ancient East. Since David was a king, the place he gave God was especially honorable. Because David had delegated his defense to God, he knew his "right hand Man" would not fail... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 16:9-10

Evidently David had received a special revelation from the Lord that he would not die then, but would escape from whatever distress he was enduring (cf. Psalms 16:7 a). The phrase "my glory rejoices" (NASB) means David rejoiced that his glory as a living person blessed by God would continue to be a source of joy for him. God would spare his life. Of course, David did not mean he would live forever, by bypassing death. He only meant that he would not die then. David was God’s "holy one" (Psalms... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 16:9-11

2. Confidence in future deliverance 16:9-11 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 16:11

The psalmist counted on God giving him further revelation about what path to take so he would experience life rather than death. This path would take him eventually into God’s presence where David’s joy would be complete. Endless pleasures would come from God’s right hand (cf. Psalms 16:8 b)."The refugee of verse I finds himself an heir, and his inheritance beyond all imagining and all exploring." [Note: Kidner, p. 86.] Peter and Paul saw in Psalms 16:8-11, and in Psalms 16:10 b, respectively,... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 16:1-11

The Ps. is the confident and joyous prayer of one whose highest satisfaction is in God and in good men (Psalms 16:2-3), who renounces all the ways of idolatry (Psalms 16:4), and who finds in God not only ample wealth and happiness for the present (Psalms 16:5-7), but also a continuous prospect of the truest life (Psalms 16:8-11). The Ps. is quoted in Acts 2:25; Acts 13:35 as a prophecy of the Resurrection of Christ. While this is not its primary reference, and while the language does not... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16

XVI.Ewald’s arguments for grouping this psalm with Psalms 17, 49, as those of one time, and even one author, are almost irresistible; and this not merely from the general similarity of language and sentiment, but especially from the feelings expressed about death. The vision of immortality wanting to the early Jews, to Moses, even to David, has at length, however faintly and dimly, dawned. It will be long before it becomes a world -belief, or even a definite individual hope. But the germ of a... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:1

(1) For in thee.—Better, for I have found refuge in thee (as in Psalms 7:1; Psalms 11:1). The verb is in the preterite. read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 16:4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 16:5-6

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 16:7

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 16:8

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 16:9-10

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 16:9-11

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 16:11

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 16:1-11

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:1

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands