Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

Ps 16 In this psalm of confidence, the poet moves quickly from a short petition (16:1), to expressions of passionate commitment to God and his people (16:2-6), to a conclusion of confident praise (16:7-11).

16:1 The psalmist feels safe because the Lord alone offers security (16:5-6), guidance (16:7-8), and the joy of his presence (16:9-11).

Verse 2

16:2 I said to the Lord: The various writers of the psalms pray, lament, and praise the Lord throughout the Psalter, and the Lord answers them (see 12:5-6).

Verse 4

16:4 The psalmist dissociates himself from ungodly worship, rituals, and words (see 15:3-5).

Verse 5

16:5 The cup of blessing represents God’s provision for all the psalmist’s needs (23:5; see 116:13; cp. 75:8; Isa 51:17).

Verse 6

16:6 The land is God’s gift for his people (Deut 18:8).

Verse 7

16:7-8 God’s instruction brings life (16:11; see 5:8; 23:1-3; 32:8; 73:24). • The psalmist so deeply depends on the Lord for strength and joy that he senses that God is right beside him (16:11; see 73:23; 109:31; 110:1, 5; 121:5). • Peter quoted 16:8-11 in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:25-28).

Verse 9

16:9-11 Knowing that not even death can separate him from the Lord strengthens the psalmist’s confidence. He fears a separation (see 13:3-4), but he remains confident of seeing the Lord (see 11:7).

Verse 10

16:10 The psalmist expresses his confidence that life continues beyond death. The apostles applied this text to the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:25-33; 13:35).

Verse 11

16:11 with you: See 16:7-8; 110:1.