The attitude of the righteous man is described in life (verses 1-8) and death (verses 9-11).
1.In life, his attitude is one of trust (verse 1);
2.Gratefulness for God’s goodness (verse 2);
3.Delight in God’s people (verse 3);
4.Separation from idolatrous worship (verse 4; compare Exodus 23:13; Deut. 12:3);
5.Satisfaction in God’s gracious provisions (verse 5);
7.Praise for the LORD’s counsel (verse 7);
8.And steadfastness in spiritual devotion (verse 8);
9.In facing death, the righteous man rejoices and is hopeful (verse 9);
10.He is confident that God will preserve him for the decay of death and that death will not result in his corruption (verse 10);
11.Rather, he will travel down the path of life, that is, the path leading to life, which will terminate in God’s joyful presence (verse 11).
David’s opening prayer is bolstered by two cycles of testimony.
(1) David’s Introductory Prayer (16:1);
(2) David’s Testimony (16:2-11).A. His Testimony of Communion (16:2-4).
1. Its divine dimension (16:2);
2. It’s human dimension (16:3-4).
B. His Testimony of Confidence (16:5-11).
1. Its past and present dimensions (16:5-8);
2. Its present and future dimensions (16:9-11).
Psalm 16:1 Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust.
“Preserve me”:
This is a frequent request begging God to protect the psalmist.
Psalm 16:5 The LORD [is] the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot.
Psalm 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
"My reins also instruct me in the night seasons":
The reins, according to Hebrew ideas, are the seat of feeling and emotion.
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore."
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