David summarizes the entire psalm in his opening decree: “Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust” (v. 1). In the first eight verses David details how he came to know the Lord as His full “portion” in life; in the last three verses he explains why he could joyfully trust the Lord in the face of death. Jehovah was David’s inheritance; apart from Him nothing had value or importance (v. 2). Consequently, while on earth, David enjoyed fellowship with “the excellent ones” (other righteous believers), who felt the same way he did about the Lord (v. 3). Companionship with these faithful saints was wonderful! On the contrary, David was determined not to commune with those who honored or served false gods (v. 4). Why? Because God had bestowed David with the best inheritance he could have ever imagined, Himself. This meant David was experiencing the best possible life, a life of full gratification in the Lord (vv. 5-6). While considering the Lord as his abundant portion, David is prompted to praise the Lord for His counsel and instruction, which had safely guided him through previous calamities (v. 7). Because of the Lord’s presence and strong hand, David was confident he would stand firm in His faith despite the attempts of his enemies to extinguish his life (v. 8).
David was confident God would preserve his life and that his body would not see decay in the grave at that time (vv. 9-10). Both Peter and Paul quoted David to confirm that there was a prophetic meaning to his statement relating to the future resurrection of Christ, the Holy One of Israel (Acts 2:25-28, 13:35-37). Clearly, these verses transcend David’s own experience, for his body did see corruption (his tomb is still in Jerusalem today). In David’s situation, God granted him deliverance from his enemies, but he could not escape death; it was inevitable. However, as it concerns Christ, this passage promises a glorious resurrection from death; therefore, as Hamilton Smith suggests, the entire psalm can be seen as tracing Christ’s life of faithful obedience which led Him into a solitary grave:
Psalm 16 is a prophetic description of the Lord Jesus in His lowly path through this world. He is viewed not in His divine equality with God, though ever true, but in the place of perfect dependence as the servant of Jehovah. It presents the inward life of faith before God, rather than the outer life seen before men. It is a life that has God for its object, so that it is a life lived to God, as well as before God.[i]
The New Testament attests to the resurrection of Christ, speaking of this spectacular event over one hundred times. Paul proclaims that without His resurrection we would not have eternal life or, by extension, hope (1 Cor. 15:12-19). Thus, both the cross and the resurrection of Christ compose the gospel message today (Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 15:3-4). Without Christ’s resurrection, saints would just be forgiven dead people with no hope of living for Christ now or having a future heavenly life with God. But this was not David’s confidence; he understood there was a “path of life” which permitted a glorious and joyful entrance into the eternal presence of God (v. 11). Likewise, believers can be confident death will never sever their fellowship with God (2 Cor. 5:8). Death has been conquered and its Victor is exalted and enthroned in heaven (1 Cor. 15:54-57). Truly, the Lord is our portion.
[i] Hamilton Smith, The Psalms, STEM Publishing, http://stempublishing.com/authors/smith/PSALMS.html
About the Author, Warren Henderson
Warren Henderson is an aerospace engineer. He now serves the Lord with his wife Brenda in “full time” ministry. They are commended from Believers Bible Chapel in Rockford, Illinois. Warren is an itinerant Bible teacher and is involved in writing, evangelism, and church planting. Warren Henderson has published many books including Be Holy and Come Near, In Search of God and The Evil Nexus: Are You Aiding the Enemy?