Praying Psalm 16

"Beautiful Trust"

What is the title of Psalm 16? A Miktam (inscription) of David.

Read Psalm 16:1

¹ Preserve me, God, I seek refuge in you.

 With what attitude does the Psalmist begin? Trust – keep me trusting

Read Psalm 16:2-4

² You say to YHWH, “you are my Lord, there is no good apart from you.”
3 For the holy ones who are in the earth are these and the majestic ones all of my delight is in them.
4 The injury/pains are many, they hurry/exchange for another, I will NOT pour out their drink offerings of blood. And I will NOT lift up their names upon my lips.

 How does the Psalmist describe the community?

All good found in God – holy (quadesh, set apart) & majestic
NOT worship false gods (sacrifice imagery) trust issues *Remember ps. 15:4 discernment??

Read 16:5-6

⁵ YHWH is a portion of my portion (inheritance) and my cup you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen in the pleasant places, indeed the inheritance in beautiful to me.

 How does YHWH satisfy the Psalmist? Inheritance – big deal to Hebrews

Read 16:7-8

⁷ I bless YHWH who councils me indeed in the night my kidneys chasten/correct me.
⁸ I put YHWH in front of me continually, For from my right hand I am NOT shaken

 What does YHWH do for David?

Counsel & correction (kidneys = conscience)
God is 1^st = not shaken

Read 16:9-11

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my glory sings, indeed my flesh dwells in security. 
¹⁰ For you will not forsake my nephesh for Sheol, and not give your chesed ones to see corruption
¹¹ You make known to me a path/way of life, full of Joys in front of you. Delightful things from your right hand forever.

 How does David respond?

Glad – Trust – Happy with God’s gifts

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?

What is the purpose of this Psalm/prayer?

Encouraging Trust
Describing beautiful trusting relationship with God

 How does Christ fulfill this psalm?

He completely trusted God - He was preserved in this - he got the inheritance

How can we pray this?

Preserve US so we can pray this confidently in trust, too. Just believe what He says!!

WE PRAY:

Thy kingdom come.

What does this mean? The kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself; but we pray in this petition that it may come unto us also.

How is this done? When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life here in time and yonder in eternity.