Psalm 16 - A Study Guide By Mark A. Copeland

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                         "THE BOOK OF PSALMS"

                    Psalm 16 - David's Golden Secret

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS PSALM

1) To observe the use and possible meaning of the word "Michtam"

2) To consider David's trust in the Lord and his preference for God's
   people

3) To note the Messianic prophecy of the resurrection of Christ

SUMMARY

The heading describes this psalm as A Michtam of David.  The meaning of
"Michtam" is uncertain, though rabbinical sources guess it to mean "a
golden poem" (ISBE).  Another suggestion is that it means "a mystery
poem" (Leopold).  The psalm does reveal David's trust in life and hope
in death, and so I have called it "David's Golden Secret".

David's secret was that he placed his trust in the LORD (Jehovah), along
with delighting in His saints on the earth (God's people).  He found the
LORD to be a good inheritance, and sought to bless Him for His counsel.
Having set the LORD always before him and at his right hand, David was
confident he would not be moved (1-8).

David's secret was also that he had great joy and hope for the future,
even for his flesh (body).  The basis for his confidence appears at
first that he (David) would not be left in Sheol (Hades, the realm of
the dead) nor would he see corruption.   Yet we learn from Peter and
Paul that David was prophesying of the resurrection of the Messiah (cf.
Ac 2:25-31; 13:33-37).  Of course, Jesus' resurrection ensures that one
day we (and David!) will also be raised from the dead (cf. 1Co 15:
20-23), which serves as the basis for our hope (1Pe 1:3).  The psalm
ends with a statement of confidence in the Lord's future provision and
the blessings in His presence (9-11).

OUTLINE

I. HIS REFUGE IN LIFE (16:1-8)

   A. THE LORD IS HIS LORD (1-4)
      1. An introductory plea...
         a. For God to preserve him
         b. For he has placed his trust in God
      2. The LORD is his Lord...
         a. His goodness is nothing apart from Him
         b. He delights in His saints, the excellent ones on the earth
      3. Those who hasten after another god...
         a. Their sorrows will be multiplied
         b. He will not offer their drink offerings of blood
         c. He will not take up their names on his lips

   B. THE LORD IS HIS PORTION (5-6)
      1. His inheritance and his cup
      2. Who maintains his lot...
         a. The lines have fallen in pleasant places
         b. He has a good inheritance

   C. THE LORD IS HIS STRENGTH (7-8)
      1. Whom he will bless for His counsel, and the instruction of his
         heart in the night seasons
      2. Whom he has set before him at his right hand, so he shall not
         be moved

II. HIS HOPE IN DEATH (16:9-11)

   A. HIS JOY AND ASSURANCE (9)
      1. His heart is glad, his glory rejoices
      2. His flesh also rests in hope

   B. HIS HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION (10)
      1. God will not leave his soul in Sheol
      2. God will not allow His Holy One to see corruption

   C. HIS ANTICIPATION OF THE FUTURE (11)
      1. God will show him the paths of life
      2. In His presence is fullness of joy
      3. At His right hand are pleasures forevermore

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE PSALM

1) What are the main points of this psalm?
   - His refuge in life (1-8)
   - His hope in death (9-11)

2) What are the possible meanings of the word "Michtam"?
   -"golden poem" or "mystery poem"

3) Who is the author of this psalm?
   - David; confirmed by Peter in Ac 2:25-31 and Paul in Ac 13:33-37

4) In whom did David place his trust? (1)
   - The LORD

5) In whom did David find great delight? (3)
   - The saints who are on the earth

6) What is happens to those who hasten after another god? (4)
   - Their sorrows are multiplied

7) What did David consider as the portion of his inheritance? (5)
   - The LORD

8) Why does David bless the Lord? (7)
   - For giving him counsel
   - For giving him a heart that instructs him in the night seasons

9) What had David done?  What was the result? (8)
   - He set the LORD always before him, at his right hand
   - He will not be moved

10) What was David's attitude regarding the future? (9)
   - His heart was glad and his glory rejoices; his flesh also rests in
     hope

11) To whom is verse 10 applied to by Peter in Acts 2?
   - To Jesus Christ, as proof of His resurrection

12) What will be found in God's presence and at His right hand? (11)
   - Fullness of joy; pleasures forevermore
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