Before Psalm 16 even starts there is something interesting to note in the title: “A Mikhtam of David” This designation is also applied to Psalms 56-60. The meaning of this term is not entirely known, some say it means it is an “Epigrammatic Poem” or an “Atonment Psalm.” Ancient translations “construe it as a designation for an engraving or inscription in stone, suggesting that this psalm played an especially prominent role in the liturgy and ritual culture culture of ancient Israel.”

This is a Messianic Psalm and even though it begins in verse 2 in the English with, “I said to the Lord…” when actually the Hebrew reads “You said to the Lord…” The “You” whom David spoke is the Messiah, this indicates the rest of the psalm contains the words of the Messiah. By us understanding this we see two of the three God-head interacting…David is the author but he is prophetically writing the prayer of the Messiah.

1. The Messiah delights in the Lord (v. 2b)
2. The Messiah delights in the Lord’s people (v. 3)
3. The Messiah delights in the Lord’s portion, an allusion to the tribe of Levi, who did not receive a portion of the land of Canaan to rely upon rather their entire portion was in dependence upon the Lord. (v. 5)
4. The Messiah delights in the presence of God (vv. 7 & 8)
5. The Messiah has confidence in the face of death and He has faith in His resurrection before decay. (vv. 9 & 10)
6. Finally the Messiah indicates that the Lord makes known the path of eternal life a place in which joy will last forever (v. 11).

The Psalm tells us much about the Messiah and reminds us that the Trinity had a plan long before Jesus came to this earth to live, die, and rise again on our behalf!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Job 11 & 12