Psalm 16

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:8-11

The confidence of the psalmist's faith in the future. The two main ideas of the writer are Not, of course, from death altogether; he could not hope to be finally delivered from the grave. The prayer therefore, must have been for deliverance, from impending , danger, from death that was then. threatened at that time, and for being conducted into and preserved in "the path of life." The application which has been made of the ninth and tenth verses to Christ by Peter and Paul has led... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:9

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth . The thought of God's continual presence at his right hand causes David's "heart" to be "glad," and his "glory"— i.e. his soul, or spirit ( Genesis 49:6 ), man's true glory—to rejoice. My flesh also shall rest in hope . His "flesh"—his corporeal nature, united closely with his "heart" and "spirit"—rests, and will rest, secure, confident that God will watch over it, and make the whole complex man—body, soul, and spirit—to "dwell in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:10

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell ; literally, to Sheol , or "to Hades." The confidence in a future life shown here is beyond that exhibited by Job. Job hopes that he may not always remain in Hades, but may one day experience a "change" or "renewal" ( Job 14:14 ); David is certain that his soul will not be left in hell. Hell ( Sheol ) is to him an "intermediate state," through which a man passes between his life in this world and his final condition in some blest abode. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:10

The antidote to death. "Thou wilt not leave," etc. More than thirty generations of believers read and sang this psalm, pondered and prayed over it, and drew, no doubt, sweet though vague comfort from this verse, before the hidden glory of its meaning was disclosed. The temple built by David's son was laid in ashes. The Scriptures were carried with the captives to Babylon, and brought back. A second and at last a third temple arose on Mount Moriah. Empires arose and fell. Above one thousand... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:11

Thou wilt show me the path of life ; i.e. the path which leads to the Source and Centre of all life, even God himself—the way to heaven, in contrast with corruption and Sheol. In thy presence is fulness of joy ; literally, satiety of joy—enough, and more than enough, to satisfy the extremest cravings of the human heart. At thy right hand; rather, in thy right hand —ready for bestowal on thy saints. Are pleasures for evermore . An inexhaustible store, which may be drawn upon for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:11

The path of life. The attractiveness and ease, or the reverse, of any path may depend on many conditions. Smooth or rough, steep or level, plain or confused with turns and windings; bright with sunshine or dark with tempest. But the main question is—Whither will it lead? We speak often of human life as a journey—a path along which, like pilgrims, we are travelling. Whither does it lead? Apart from Christ and his gospel, the only answer is— to the grave. Our Saviour's death and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:11

Fulness of joy. The natural effect of sin is to quench all desire after God, deaden all sense of his presence; to make the thought of him unwelcome, even terrible. "I heard thy voice … and was afraid." The beginning of spiritual life is turning to God. Its highest attainments, joy in God. The supreme happiness to which it looks forward, fulness of joy in his presence. I. God has bestowed on human nature A WONDERFUL CAPACITY FOR JOY . The sunshine of the heart, in which "all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:11

The future state. In this prayer it is implied that there is one "path," which is truly "the path of life"—the path by which we can reach the highest ideal of our being, and be blessed for ever; and further, that God, and God alone, is able to show us this path. It may be said that the prayer has been answered in the fullest sense by Christ Jesus. We may use the words with reference to Christ's teaching as to a future state. Christ has shown us— I. THE CERTAINTY OF A FUTURE ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 16

This psalm expresses a confident expectation of eternal life and happiness, founded on the evidence of true attachment to God. It expresses the deep conviction that one who loves God will not be left in the grave, and will not be suffered to see permanent “corruption,” or to perish in the grave, forever.The contents of the psalm are the following:(1) An earnest prayer of the author for preservation on the ground that he had put his trust in God, Psalms 16:1.(2) A statement of his attachment to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 16:1

Preserve me, O God - Keep me; guard me; save me. This language implies that there was imminent danger of some kind - perhaps, as the subsequent part of the psalm would seem to indicate, danger of death. See Psalms 16:8-10. The idea here is, that God was able to preserve him from the impending danger, and that he might hope he would do it.For in thee do I put my trust - That is, my hope is in thee. He had no other reliance than God; but he had confidence in him - he felt assured that there was... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:8-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 16:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 16:1

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