Psalms 16:2
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I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This psalm has something of David in it, but much more of Christ. It begins with such expressions of devotion as may be applied to Christ; but concludes with such confidence of a resurrection (and so timely a one as to prevent corruption) as must be applied to Christ, to him only, and cannot be understood of David, as both St. Peter and St. Paul have observed, Act 2:24; Act 13:36. For David died, and was buried, and saw corruption. I. David speaks of himself as a member of Christ, and so he speaks the language of all good Christians, professing his confidence in God (Psa 16:1), his consent to him (Psa 16:2), his affection to the people of God (Psa 16:3), his adherence to the true worship of God (Psa 16:4), and his entire complacency and satisfaction in God and the interest he had in him (Psa 16:5-7). II. He speaks of himself as a type of Christ, and so he speaks the language of Christ himself, to whom all the rest of the psalm is expressly and at large applied (Act 2:25, etc.). David speaks concerning him (not concerning himself), "I foresaw the Lord always before my face," etc. And this he spoke, being a prophet (v. 30, 31). He spoke, 1. Of the special presence of God with the Redeemer in his services and sufferings (Psa 16:8). 2. Of the prospect which the Redeemer had of his own resurrection and the glory that should follow, which carried him cheerfully through his undertaking (Psa 16:9-11). Michtam of David.
Open source ↗16:2 I said to the Lord: The various writers of the psalms pray, lament, and praise the Lord throughout the Psalter, and the Lord answers them (see 12:5-6).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
He will call to Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the Rock of my salvation.’
My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek.
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens.
Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”
O LORD our God, other lords besides You have had dominion, but Your name alone do we confess.
“Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?”
This third I will bring through the fire;I will refine them like silverand test them like gold.They will call on My name,and I will answer them.I will say, ‘They are My people,’and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”