Psalms 16
Summary for Ps 16:1-11: Ps 16 a In this psalm of confidence, the poet moves quickly from a short petition (16:1 b), to expressions of passionate commitment to God and his people (16:2-6 c), to a conclusion of confident praise (16:7-11 d). 16:1 e The psalmist feels safe because the Lord alone offers security (16:5-6 f), guidance (16:7-8 g), and the joy of his presence (16:9-11 h).16:2 i I said to the Lord: The various writers of the psalms pray, lament, and praise the Lord throughout the Psalter, and the Lord answers them (see 12:5-6 j).
16:4 k The psalmist dissociates himself from ungodly worship, rituals, and words (see 15:3-5 l).
16:5 m The cup of blessing represents God’s provision for all the psalmist’s needs (23:5 n; see 116:13 o; cp. 75:8 p; Isa 51:17 q).
16:6 r The land is God’s gift for his people (Deut 18:8 s).
Summary for Ps 16:7-8: 16:7-8 t God’s instruction brings life (16:11 u; see 5:8 v; 23:1-3 w; 32:8 x; 73:24 y).
• The psalmist so deeply depends on the Lord for strength and joy that he senses that God is right beside him (16:11 z; see 73:23 aa; 109:31 ab; 110:1 ac, 5 ad; 121:5 ae).
• Peter quoted 16:8-11 af in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:25-28 ag).
Summary for Ps 16:9-11: 16:9-11 ah Knowing that not even death can separate him from the Lord strengthens the psalmist’s confidence. He fears a separation (see 13:3-4 ai), but he remains confident of seeing the Lord (see 11:7 aj).
16:10 ak The psalmist expresses his confidence that life continues beyond death. The apostles applied this text to the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:25-33 al; 13:35 am).
16:11 an with you: See 16:7-8 ao; 110:1 ap.
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