Psalms

Psalms 16: Life and joy with God

Begin in prayer

Before we ask where lasting joy can be found, let us come to the God who shows the path of life. Pray that He would turn us from rival treasures to the risen Jesus.

Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Daniel 12:2

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the LORD gives His people life and joy through the risen Christ. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David asks God to preserve him, confessing that he has no good thing apart from the LORD. He delights in God's saints and refuses the worship of other gods, whose followers multiply their sorrows. The LORD Himself is his portion, and the inheritance He gives is secure. God's counsel steadies him, so his heart rejoices and his body rests in safety. The song looks beyond death to the Holy One who will not see corruption and to fullness of joy in God's presence.

As you read Psalms 16, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD is His people's portion, and His Holy One will not be left in death.

David's prayer begins with refuge and grows into delight in the God who keeps him. Portion, cup and boundary lines use the language of an allotted inheritance to describe the good he has received. The LORD Himself is his greatest treasure, so other gods can offer him no better portion. His refusal includes their offerings of blood and even taking their names on his lips. God's counsel gives him direction in the night, and God's presence keeps him steady before death. The promise that the Holy One will not see corruption reaches beyond David, whose body did decay. Peter explains in Acts 2 verses 25 to 32 that David spoke of the resurrection of Christ. God raised Jesus, opening the path of life and joy in His presence for those who belong to Him.

How does Psalm 16 show us that the LORD is His people's portion, and His Holy One will not be left in death?

The LORD Himself is the portion of His people.

David confesses that no good thing is his apart from the LORD. A secure inheritance helps him describe the richness of knowing God. Those who give themselves to other gods multiply sorrows instead of finding a better refuge.

God's Holy One will not remain in death.

The song joins gladness of heart to safety for the body. Death cannot cancel God's purpose for His Holy One. The last verse opens into the path of life and pleasures that last forever.

Memorise

You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.

Psalm 16:11

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what am I seeking for lasting joy instead of the risen Jesus?

David says, “In your presence is fullness of joy.” His hope reaches beyond the grave, because God will not allow His Holy One to see corruption. The Lord who is his portion can be trusted with death itself.

Jesus entered death for His people's sins, bearing the punishment they deserved at the cross. The Father raised His Holy One, and His body did not decay. His completed saving work is enough to bring guilty people into God's presence.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in this living Savior. Forgiveness rests on Christ's accomplished work and is promised to each person who trusts Him. Refuse the rival treasures that multiply sorrow. Lasting joy is found with the risen Lord, who brings His people into His Father's presence.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD gives His people life and joy through the risen Christ. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for raising His Holy One and opening the path of life. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

John 11:23

Father, thank You for raising Jesus and giving His people hope beyond death. Please turn us from idols and bring us to trust Your Son. Teach us to treasure You above every other gift. When we fear loss this week, remind us that fullness of joy is found in Your presence. Amen.