Psalm 16

A Bible Devotion from Psalm 16

The Hope of the Faithful

1 Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

2 O my soul, you have said to the LORD,
         “You are my Lord,
         My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
3 As for the saints who are on the earth,
         “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”

4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;
         Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
         Nor take up their names on my lips.

5 O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
         You maintain my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
         Yes, I have a good inheritance.

7 I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;
         My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the LORD always before me;
         Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
         My flesh also will rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
         Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life;
         In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16, NKJV

This is such a wonderful Psalm of encouragement to the Christian. This is a praise Psalm to Christ,Looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2

This is another Psalm that would be a great prayer to God. We all have a tendency to dominate our thoughts with ourselves. How much better if our speech and thoughts were filled with faith and praise to Christ. We look to Christ as our Lord, our portion of our inheritance, the One who maintains our lot, Who gives us counsel, and Who is always at our right hand.

What are the results of having this attitude before us at all times? My heart is glad, my glory rejoices, and my flesh will rest in hope. Verse 9

What do we know of God? You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Verses 10-11

Pray today that you will lift your heart in praise to God no matter what the day brings.

Next: Psalm 17, Keep Me as the Apple of Your Eye

More Devotions on the 16th Psalm from my blog: Daily Bible Devotions.

My Goodness is Nothing, Verses 1-3

None Lord But Thee, Verse 4

A Goodly Heritage, Verses 5-6

Bless the Lord, Verses 7-8

Fullness of Joy, Verses 9-11