Christianity

Psalms 16The Path of Life

Summary

Psalm 16 is a prayer of confidence in which the speaker declares that the LORD is his portion and his cup, and that his inheritance has fallen in pleasant places. Setting the LORD always before him, he trusts that God will not abandon him to Sheol, and ends with joy in God's presence. The heading calls it a Michtam of David. In Acts 2 Peter quotes it as a prophecy of Jesus' resurrection.

Key verse

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Psalms 16:11

Themes

God as Portion
Contentment
Hope Beyond Death
Joy in God's Presence

Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Christianity
Acts 2: Thou Wilt Not Leave My Soul
In his Pentecost sermon Peter quotes Psalm 16:8 to 11, arguing that David foresaw a holy one who would not see corruption, fulfilled in the risen Jesus.
Judaism
Tehillim 16 in the JPS 1917 Tanakh
The line I have set the LORD always before me is a favorite of Jewish devotion and is often inscribed above the prayer leader's stand in synagogues.

Questions about Psalms 16

What is a Michtam?

Michtam heads Psalms 16 and 56 to 60. Its meaning is uncertain; suggestions include an inscription, a golden poem or a psalm of atonement.

Does Psalm 16 speak of the resurrection?

Christians read verses 9 to 11 as a prophecy of Jesus' resurrection, following Acts 2 and Acts 13. Jewish interpretation generally reads it as David's trust in protection from death and in God's lasting care.