Psalms 16
A messianic psalm of trust. David declares God as his portion and finds boundary lines in pleasant places. He is confident that God will not abandon his soul to the grave, a prophecy Peter applies to Christ's resurrection.
A Miktam of David. Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.
I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.”
As for the saints in the land, they are the excellence in whom all my delight resides.
Sorrows will multiply to those who chase other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood, or speak their names with my lips.
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.
The lines of my boundary have fallen in pleasant places; surely my inheritance is delightful.
I will bless the LORD who counsels me; even at night my conscience instructs me.
I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
I saw the Lord always before me — Peter quotes David at Pentecost
David says about Him: ‘I saw the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Read Acts 2 ›'I saw the Lord always before me... therefore my heart is glad.' Peter quotes David's psalm at Pentecost, saying David was actually writing about Jesus' resurrection.
David says about Him: ‘I saw the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Read Acts 2 ›Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will dwell securely.
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.
You will not let your Holy One see decay — Peter at Pentecost
because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.
Read Acts 2 ›Paul cites: you will not let your Holy One see decay
So also, He says in another Psalm: ‘You will not let Your Holy One see decay.’
Read Acts 13 ›You will not let your Holy One see decay — Paul in Pisidian Antioch
So also, He says in another Psalm: ‘You will not let Your Holy One see decay.’
Read Acts 13 ›'You will not let your holy one see decay.' Peter's Pentecost argument: David died and his tomb is right here — so this psalm must be about someone else. Someone who rose.
Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay.
Read Acts 2 ›You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
Have a question about Psalms 16?
On Doxa, you can have a personal conversation about any scripture. Ask questions, explore context, and discover connections.
What does "trust" mean in Psalms 16?
How does Psalms 16 connect to the rest of the Bible?
Why is this chapter important for my life?
Real stories about these themes
Read testimonies from real people connected to what you're reading.
Explore Related Topics
Engage with Psalms 16 in a fresh way
On the Doxa App you can have a personal interaction about any Scripture. Ask questions and even debate.