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The Presence of the LORD
Psalm 16 is a song of trust. The speaker asks God for protection, rejects other gods, and describes the joy, security and life found in the LORD’s presence with vivid poetic images.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In this psalm, the speaker addresses God directly and also speaks about faithful people on the earth and those devoted to another god. The poem moves from a cry for preservation to loyalty, contentment, counsel, stability, gladness and joy before the LORD.
Psalms 16:1–11Main takeaway
Psalm 16 teaches that the speaker seeks refuge, goodness, guidance and lasting joy in the LORD alone.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Refuge and true goodThe psalm opens with a request: “Preserve me, God.” The speaker gives a reason straight away: “I take refuge in you.”
Explanation
The psalm opens with a request: “Preserve me, God.” The speaker gives a reason straight away: “I take refuge in you.” He then confesses, “You are my Lord,” and says that apart from the LORD he has no good thing. The song begins with dependence and trust.
02Delight and refusalThe speaker delights in “the saints who are on the earth”, calling them “the excellent ones”.
Explanation
The speaker delights in “the saints who are on the earth”, calling them “the excellent ones”. In contrast, the sorrows of those who give gifts to another god are multiplied. The speaker refuses to share in that worship, saying he will not offer their drink offerings of blood or take their names on his lips.
03Portion, counsel and steadinessThe LORD is described as the speaker’s “portion” and “cup”, and the lot is secure. Pleasant lines and a good inheritance picture contentment in what the LORD gives.
Explanation
The LORD is described as the speaker’s “portion” and “cup”, and the lot is secure. Pleasant lines and a good inheritance picture contentment in what the LORD gives. The speaker also blesses the LORD for counsel. Because he has set the LORD before him, and the LORD is at his right hand, he will not be moved.
04Gladness, life and presenceBecause of the LORD’s nearness, the speaker says his heart is glad, his tongue rejoices, and his body dwells in safety.
Explanation
Because of the LORD’s nearness, the speaker says his heart is glad, his tongue rejoices, and his body dwells in safety. He speaks of not being left in Sheol and of the holy one not seeing corruption. The psalm ends with the path of life, fullness of joy and pleasures in God’s presence.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How do verses 1 and 2 connect the request for preservation with the speaker’s view of the LORD?
Look at how taking refuge in God matches the confession that the LORD is his Lord and the source of every good thing.
02What sharp contrast does the psalm make between the saints and those who give gifts to another god?
Compare the words of delight in verse 3 with the multiplied sorrows and refusal to join their worship in verse 4.
03Which results flow from setting the LORD always before the speaker?
Trace the movement from steadiness in verse 8 to gladness, safety, life and joy in verses 9 to 11.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 16:1–11
1Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you.
2My soul, you have said to Yahweh, “You are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing.”
3As for the saints who are on the earth, they are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight.
4Their sorrows shall be multiplied who give gifts to another god. Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take their names on my lips.
5Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure.
6The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance.
7I will bless Yahweh, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.
8I have set Yahweh always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety.
10For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption.
11You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.