Read Psalm 16

In this Psalm David pleads for preservation (v1).  Yet it is a plea from Messiah, as noted by both Peter (Ac. 2:25-33) and Paul (Ac. 13:35-37) to show that the Christ’s resurrection fulfilled prophecy.  The Spirit of God led David to write in such a way that he spoke of his Greater Son.

The Psalm begins with a “confession” (v2-3).  The certainty of God’s keeping or preserving is the hope of those who trust Him.  They have confessed that Yahweh is their personal God.  He is the source of every good thing.  With these saints the Messiah has identified; He delights in them.  At the same time He has turned away from those who seek after an idol (v4).  

This confession of God as “Lord” even today is for those who desire God to keep them.  “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9).  

Those in whom God delights are those who trust Him in life; they will then find Him faithful in death. This is seen in the way he finds full satisfaction in knowing Yahweh is His “portion” (v5).  God is all the inheritance He needs.  He knows this because of the way in which God has provided in this life (v6).  Thus He is filled with blessing for God who always leads in a good way (v7a).

Note v7: “My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.”  This assurance of God as His portion is not only for the good times; it is for the times of affliction.  This was true for David who always remembered God’s provision when he fled from King Saul.  This was true of Messiah who always did the will of His Father, all the way to the cross!  God who preserved Him in life preserved Him in death.  

Look at the words of vs.8-11 which so encouraged the early Church Apostles. Hear the confidence of the Psalmist.  “I shall not be moved” (v8).  “My flesh shall also rest in hope” (v9).  “You will not leave my soul in Sheol” (v10, the abode of the dead).  “In your presence is fullness of joy” (v11). 

Consider what this means to David.  The Apostles were right, that David’s words apply to Messiah.  David’s tomb was a revered place among them.  Yet these words were true for David.  Eventually, but only after the Messiah’s resurrection and victory over death, God would preserve David for the life to come.  David could rest in hope.  El;sewhere David would say, “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness” (Ps. 17:15).  David spoke with the same confidence as Job did before.  

We also can speak with confidence in this matter, if we have confessed Christ as Lord.  Listen to the Apostle in 1 Cor. 15:20-21: “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.”  You may, in Christ, rest in hope!