Psalm 16 is one written by David in time of crisis. His life is on the line as he writes for God’s preservation and refuge from his enemies. “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge”. David is seeking God as His rock and the answer to his trouble. He goes on to acknowledge how dependent he is on God. “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you”. He recognized that apart from God, his goodness was worth nothing. Goodness comes from God and will return to Him. David knew he was merely a vessel.
David knew there were good people of God in him he could trust. This is an obvious failing for many followers of Jesus Christ today. They are so negative about the people of God that they find themselves unable to see any excellence in the God’s people, unable to delight in them. One of the practical ways we can test our relationship with Christ is ask ourselves if we love other Christians, the people of God. If not we have to ask ourselves if we are truly walking with Him, as that is his expectation.
Those who chose idolatry and other gods are going to face many sorrows. There is but one true God. He alone is worthy of our praise. David has made that choice. “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot”. David had all his eggs in God’s basket. Being the youngest son in the family, he had no inheritance coming there. But he knows that God has a plan for his future and was the only thing he could truly put his trust in. He knew he would have a beautiful inheritance because of God’s goodness.
David is pretty upbeat for being under attack. But he has confidence in God. He knows God won’t abandon him. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore”. We are told that heaven is to be enjoyed at the right hand of God. The right hand, even on earth, is the place of favor, and the place of honor, and they place of security. The right-hand place is always regarded as the place of dignity and nobility. David knows that as a follower of the Lord, he has that place. He is blessed indeed.
Arlin Sorensen's Thoughts on Scripture 