Fullness of Joy – Psalm 16

The apostle Peter refers to this psalm when he preaches on the day of Pentecost after receiving the Holy Spirit and speaking in languages he and the others did not know.  In Acts 2:27 he quotes verse 10 of psalm 16, “you will not abandon me in Hades or allow your holy one to see decay.”  Peter says that David “knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah.”  David does not speak of Messiah’s resurrection in this psalm, but of his own rescue from death by God.  However, being a type of the Messiah, David’s experience becomes that of Messiah, only to a greater degree.  Whereas David was kept from death in the instance he is referring to, Jesus was brought from death to life. [See Messianic Psalms]

A Miktam of David.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.  I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.  I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.  For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  (Psalm 16 ESV)

This is the testimony of one who has found the Lord to be everything he needs.  He takes refuge in Yahweh and knows that Yahweh is his true and only real good.  He delights in others who have this testimony and knows the devastation that comes to those who worship false gods.  Yahweh ordained plots of land for every Israelite by tribes, but for David the greatest inheritance he received is Yahweh Himself.  Yahweh is his portion, who guides him by day and night and who, as he stays his mind on Him, makes him unshakeable.  So he knows that he will not be abandoned in death, that there is life beyond the grave in the presence of Yahweh and that fullness of joy is there.  Jesus demonstrated the truth of this when he rose from the dead and literally conquered the grave and paved the way for all those who know Him.