Single lesson
Psalm 16: The Presence of the LORD
Psalms 16:1–11
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.
Before you teach
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.
Describe the central teaching of Psalm 16: The Presence of the LORD, using two details from the reading. Psalm 16 teaches that the speaker seeks refuge, goodness, guidance and lasting joy in the LORD alone.
Welcome: Psalm 16: The Presence of the LORD
4 minIntroduce “The Presence of the LORD” and locate Psalms 16:1–11. Psalm 16 teaches that the speaker seeks refuge, goodness, guidance and lasting joy in the LORD alone. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Psalms 16:1, Psalms 16:6, Psalms 16:11
Read and explain the passage
8 minThe 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.
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.
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.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “The Presence of the LORD”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Psalms 16:1, Psalms 16:2, Psalms 16:5, Psalms 16:6, Psalms 16:7, Psalms 16:8, Psalms 16:9, Psalms 16:10, Psalms 16:11
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “How do verses 1 and 2 connect the request for preservation with the speaker’s view of the LORD?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Psalm 16 teaches that the speaker seeks refuge, goodness, guidance and lasting joy in the LORD alone. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Psalms 16:1, Psalms 16:2, Psalms 16:3, Psalms 16:4, Psalms 16:8, Psalms 16:9, Psalms 16:10, Psalms 16:11
Make and respond: Words and images response sheet
9 minWork on “Psalm 16: The Presence of the LORD: Words and images response sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “The Presence of the LORD” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Psalms 16:1, Psalms 16:6, Psalms 16:11
Closing: return to The Presence of the LORD
3 minRevisit Psalms 16:1–11. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about The Presence of the LORD and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Psalms 16:1, Psalms 16:6, Psalms 16:11
Questions to explore
How 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.
Psalms 16:1, Psalms 16:2
What 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.
Psalms 16:3, Psalms 16:4
Which 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.
Psalms 16:8, Psalms 16:9, Psalms 16:10, Psalms 16:11
Make, think or respond
Psalm 16: The Presence of the LORD: Words and images response sheet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or crayons
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “A repeated word or image”, “Its verse reference”, “What it expresses”.
- Read Psalms 16:1–11. Use “The Presence of the LORD” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Talk through your notes with an adult. Add a word, drawing or short quotation that helps you remember each part.
- Choose one image and add a short written response or a simple drawing. Explain how it connects with the passage.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Psalm 16: The Presence of the LORD connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, read the selected verses aloud, prepare the three panels and let them respond with drawings or a few words. Use The Presence of the LORD as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between The Presence of the LORD and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Psalms 16:1–11. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 16
1 Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you.
2 My soul, you have said to Yahweh, “You are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing.”
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 give gifts to another god. Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take their names on my lips.
5 Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance.
7 I will bless Yahweh, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.
8 I have set Yahweh always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety.
10 For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither 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. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.