Psalm 16

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:1-11

Once thine, ever thine: the song of a saint, the vision of a seer. This psalm yields many texts for instructive discourse; but it is not on any of them that we propose now to dwell, but on the psalm as a whole. It is one of the most evangelical in all the five books of the Psalms. It opens with a prayer and a plea; but its main current is that of joy and praise. It is moreover repeatedly quoted in the New Testament, where, by the Apostles Peter and Paul, some of its words are declared to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:1-11

Life-long convictions. Happy the man who holds to his faith in God through all changes and chances of this mortal life! Religion to him is a reality. He speaks of what he knows. He commends what he has proved to be good. He can rejoice in the assurance that God, who has been with him hitherto, will keep him safely to the end, and that the portion which satisfied his soul in this life will satisfy his soul eternally. We may take the psalm as expressing certain life-long convictions. I.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:2

O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord . The ordinary Hebrew text, אָמַרְתְּ , "thou hast said," requires the insertion of "O my soul," or something similar. But if we read אמרתי with a large number of manuscripts, with the LXX ; the Vulgate, the Syriac, and most other versions, no insertion will be necessary. The meaning will then be, I have said to Jehovah. Thou art my Lord ; Hebrew, adonai —"my Lord and Master." My goodness extendeth not to thee . This meaning cannot be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:3

But to the saints that are in the earth ; rather, it is for the saints. It ( i.e. my prosperity) is granted me for the advantage of the saints that are in the land; i.e. of all the true Israelites. "I hold it in trust for them" (Kay). And to (rather, for) the excellent, in whom is all my delight. And, especially , I hold it in trust for "the inner circle of the excellent ones," in whom God takes pleasure ( Psalms 147:11 ), and in whom therefore I also "delight." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:4

Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god . This is the only note of sadness in the entire psalm, and it is inserted to add force by contrast to the joyous outburst in Psalms 16:5 . If men would not cleave to Jehovah, but would "hasten after"—or perhaps it should be translated "wed themselves to"—another god (see Exodus 2:16 , the only other place where the word occurs), then they must not expect "prosperity," or joy of any kind. Their "sorrows will be multiplied;"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:5

The Lord is the Portion of mine inheritance . God had said to Aaron, when he gave him no special inheritance in Canaan, "I am thy Part and thine Inherit-ante among the children of Israel" ( Numbers 18:20 ). David claims the same privilege. God is his "Portion," and he needs no other. And of my cup . A man's "cup" is, in Scripture, his lot or condition in life ( Psalms 11:6 ; Psalms 23:5 )—that which is given him to drink. David will have God only for his cup. Thou maintainest my lot;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:6

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places . The "lines" which marked out the place of his abode (comp. Deuteronomy 32:9 ; Joshua 17:5 ). These had fallen to him "in pleasant places"—in Jerusalem and its near vicinity. Yea, I have a goodly heritage. Some explain "heritage" here by the "inheritance" of Psalms 16:5 . But the word used is different; and it is most natural to understand David's earthly heritage, or lot in life. This, he says, is "pleasing" or "delightsome" to him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:7

I will bless the Lord, who hath given his counsel . God has become David's "Counsellor" (see Psalms 32:8 ), makes suggestions to him which he follows, and so guides his life that he feels bound to praise and bless him for it. My reins also instruct me in the night seasons . The reins, according to Hebrew ideas, are the seat of feeling and emotion. David is "instructed" or "stimulated" (Hengstenberg) to bless God by the feelings which stir within him as he lies awake at night—feelings, we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:8

I have set the Lord always before me . I have brought myself, that is, to realize the continual presence of God, alike in happiness and in trouble. I feel him to be ever with me. Because he is at my right hand ( i.e. close to me, ready to protect and save), therefore I shall not be moved . Nothing will shake me or disturb me from my trust and confidence. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:8

The supreme choice of the soul. "I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." "I have set Christ always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." I. THIS IS TO MAKE THE JOURNEY OF LIFE FULL OF LIGHT . Pillar of cloud and fire. And this, in whatever view you look at this life—whether as a stage on which work has to be done , or on which good has to be acquired, or as a journey to reach our... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:1-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:1-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:8

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