Psalm 16 Michtam of David.
Michtam is a technical term which is only found in the Psalms, in this Psalm and in Psalms 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60. The meaning of this word is uncertain.
Verses 1-3 Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. 2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; 3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
The Hebrew word translated as “preserve” is “shamar” and it means to keep, guard, observe, give heed, have charge of, protect, and to save life. King David is crying out to the LORD for help and he can do so because he puts his trust in the LORD rather than in his own ability or in his military or in his power as king of Israel. His soul (mind, will, and emotions) speaks to the LORD and confesses that He is David’s Lord. Notice that the word, lord, is first capitalized and then it is written with capital L but lower case ord. Why? Because when lord is in all capitals is means “the existing One” and when only the L is capitalized, it means a title of God who has power and authority, and who rules and is Master.
As often occurs in the Psalms of King David, the dialogue goes from David speaking to God to God speaking to David. So in verse 2 after David declares “thou art my Lord”, God answers him and declares that His goodness is not just towards him, David, but towards all the saints or set apart ones in the Earth in whom the LORD delights.
Verse 4 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 Hebrew word translated as “sorrows” is “atstsebeth” and it means pain, hurt, injury, sorrow, or wound. Here God is still speaking and declaring that those people who follow after other gods will have sorrows of some kind and that these sorrows will be multiplied or become many because of their rebellion against Him. The Hebrew word translated as “will I not offer” is “nacak” and it means to pour out. The word, “blood”, can mean blood or it can be figurative for wine. So it appears that God is saying that those people who offer to Him their blood sacrifices or their drink offerings are wasting their time as He will not accept their offerings while they are going after other gods. Furthermore, He will not even speak these people’s names.
Application: Churches today are full of people who have “one foot in the Church and one foot in the world”, meaning that they are not giving God their all: their life, their possessions, their relationships, their finances, their time and talent, and most importantly their soul (mind, will, and emotion). They want to have the hope of eternal life in Heaven after physical death, but they want to enjoy the pleasures and pursuits of this world which gets in the way of them having a pure walk with Jesus Christ. Does God have their name on His lips? Furthermore, are their names written in the Lamb’s book of life?
Verses 5-6 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. 6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
The dialogue is now back to King David who states that the Existing One (LORD) is part (portion) of his possession or award (mine inheritance) and part of his cup (day to day provision). He is also the One who supports (maintainest) King David’s lot (decision making). King David knows that his situation in life is because of his LORD who has placed him in a position that is pleasant, delightful, and lovely, and that he has a beautiful possession and inheritance as a servant of the LORD.
Verse 7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
King David states that he will praise and kneel down to the LORD because He has guided him and given him wise counsel or advise. The Hebrew word translated as “reins” is “kilyah” and it means kidneys, a physical organ, or the seat of emotion and affection. As David lies awake at night, he is instructed by God’s counsel and David’s love for God opens spiritual communication between an earthly king and the King of Kings.
Application: Often it is at night when the believer is alone with his/her thoughts that a closeness to the LORD is felt and worries disappear and solutions to problems come to mind as the believer talks to the LORD and praises Him for His goodness, His mercy, and His never ending love. It is when distractions are at a minimum that great blessings come forth from the LORD and when there can be a heart to heart talk with the Saviour.
Verses 8-9 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
King David states that he has placed the LORD continually or perpetually at his right hand which means a seat of power. In other words, David always trusts in the power and authority of the LORD. He is walking in the Spirit and guided by the Spirit of God always. Therefore, he will not be shaken or slip. David is glad or rejoicing as he has the promise of life after death in eternity.
Verses 10-11 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
These closing verses are prophetic of the LORD Jesus Christ. He is the “Holy One”, so David is not referring to himself in these verses, although for all believers and servants of the LORD, these verses can apply somewhat as Scripture in the New Testament states that Christian believers do not go to Hell but go to be with Jesus. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8
The Hebrew word translated as “hell” is “shaowl” and it means sheol, underworld, grave, hell or pit. It is the abode of the dead, a place of no return, and a place of exile. It is associated with a place for the wicked to be sent after death as the righteous were sent to Paradise before Jesus Christ came to Earth, and since Jesus’ resurrection, the righteous go to Heaven to be with the LORD. So the prophecy is that Jesus Christ would not and He did not see corruption as He rose bodily from the dead and is alive this very day. He therefore shows His saints the way (path of life) to life eternal in His heavenly Kingdom where there is joy for ever. He is the right hand or power of God.