Heavenly Devotion: Psalm 16 – A Plea for Protection

Psalm 16 – A plea for protection

(Written by Philips Koh)

There are two main themes in this lovely Psalm. The first theme is from petition to praise. David began with a petition for personal preservation. He was no stranger to danger, having escaped King Saul’s assassination attempt several times and even survived the usurpation of his throne by his son Absalom. David’s method of overcoming misfortunes: “I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken (v.8).” Thus David could experience joy and peace: “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure (v.9).” Likewise, in prison, the indomitable apostle Paul wrote such uplifting words: “Rejoice in the Lord always. l will say it again: Rejoice! (Phil. 4:4)”

Are you and I placing our security in some cheap substitutes such as our material possession, financial wealth, or a well-paying job, which cannot truly satisfy us?  David however placed his confidence in God alone: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand (Ps. 16:11).” Are we getting our priorities right as we grapple with the life-threatening Covid-19 pandemic, or the loss of a business or job due to the economic downturn?

The second theme is from death to life. King David also expressed a passionate longing for personal deliverance from Sheol, the abode of the dead, in verse 10. On the day of Pentecost, Peter cited this Psalm and declared that Jesus fulfilled this prophetic longing of David by conquering death through his resurrection.           

Overall, Psalm 16 emphasises one fundamental truth: peace and joy only come to those believers who place their personal security in God. 

Let’s Read Psalm 16,

1 Keep me safe, my God,
    for in you I take refuge.

2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    apart from you I have no good thing.”
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
    “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
    I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
    or take up their names on my lips.

5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
    you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Let’s Pray,

Thank you, heavenly Father, for your unfailing and unchanging love, come what may in real life.  For we have this most comforting promise in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” What a blessed assurance to worship and serve such a faithful and reliable Saviour. In the Name of your beloved Son Jesus, we pray, Amen.