Psalm 16
"Preserve me, O God"
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Read
What does it say?
This is a plain-language guide, not a translation. Check it against the Bible text any time.
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole passage, in shortThe main points of the whole passage, in a few sentences.
David prays for preservation and declares that God is his only true good: "You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing." The LORD is his chosen portion and inheritance, better than any plot of ground. With God always before him, David will not be shaken. Even his body will rest securely, because God will not abandon his soul to Sheol or let his Holy One see decay. The path of life goes through God's presence — with joy that does not end.
Where it is in the Bible: Psalm 16
Before You Read
Who wrote it. David (16:1). It's called a Miktam, a type of psalm whose exact meaning is uncertain — possibly a "golden" psalm.
What it is. A prayer of complete trust. David finds in God his only good thing, his inheritance, and his hope beyond death.
Why it matters. The apostle Peter quoted this psalm at Pentecost, saying it pointed to Jesus: the Holy One who would not see decay (Acts 2:25-31).
When the church sings it. At Easter Vigil, the Second Sunday of Easter, and at other moments of resurrection hope.
Map of the Psalm
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. My Only Good | 16:1-4 | Apart from You I have no good thing |
| 2. A Delightful Inheritance | 16:5-8 | The LORD is my portion |
| 3. Joy Beyond Death | 16:9-11 | You will not abandon my soul |
Section by Section
Section 1 of 3My Only Good
"Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge" (16:1).
I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing." (16:2).
Everything good comes from God. Apart from him, there is nothing worth having.
He delights in those who follow the LORD, and refuses to follow other gods.
Section 2 of 3A Delightful Inheritance
"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure" (16:5).
Portion and lot refer to inheritance — what is given to you. The LORD himself is David's inheritance.
"The lines of my boundary have fallen in pleasant places; surely my inheritance is delightful" (16:6).
When land was divided in ancient Israel, boundary lines were measured out. David's portion is God himself, and that is more than enough.
"I will bless the LORD who counsels me; even at night my conscience instructs me" (16:7).
"I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken" (16:8).
Section 3 of 3Joy Beyond Death
"Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will dwell securely" (16:9).
"For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay" (16:10).
Sheol was the place of the dead. The claim here is extraordinary: God will not leave him there.
"You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand" (16:11).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing" (16:2) | God is the source of every good in life. |
| "The LORD is my chosen portion" (16:5) | God himself is my inheritance. |
| "I will not be shaken" (16:8) | God at his right hand makes him steady. |
| "You will not abandon my soul to Sheol" (16:10) | Even death cannot separate him from God. |
| "The path of life" (16:11) | God shows the way that leads through death to joy. |
Back Then
Sheol was the Hebrew word for the realm of the dead — a shadowy underworld. The hope expressed here goes beyond what earlier Israelites could fully imagine.
Boundary lines were measured with a cord when dividing land among families. David's picture: God is better than any plot of ground.
Literal Reader Alert
Is "You will not abandon my soul to Sheol" about Jesus or David? David prayed it about himself. Peter, at Pentecost, argued that since David did die and see decay, the psalm must point forward to someone who would not — Jesus, who rose from the dead (Acts 2:29-31).
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| David | Secure | His lot is in God's hands (16:5-6) |
| David | Joyful | Even his body will rest securely (16:9) |
| David | Hopeful | The path of life leads past death itself (16:11) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What do you need today? Tap one.
I'm afraid of what's ahead
He is at your right hand; you will not be shaken.
I feel like I have nothing
Apart from God, what is there? With him, everything.
I'm thinking about death
He will not abandon your soul.
I want more of God
He fills with joy in His presence.
You Might Have Heard
"Death is the end."
What's true: Death is real and takes everyone.
What the passage is mainly about: "You will not abandon my soul to Sheol" (16:10). The God who is our refuge is also stronger than death. David hoped for it; Jesus proved it.
Where Jesus is: He is the Holy One who did not see decay. His resurrection is the fulfillment of this psalm's deepest hope, and the guarantee of ours.
Good News
There is a path of life.
"You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence" (16:11).
Jesus walked it, died, and rose. In him, the path is open.
Psalm 16 is a prayer of complete trust: God is my portion, my refuge, and my hope beyond death. Jesus is the Holy One who fulfilled this hope, and in him, we share it.
Big Idea
Psalm 16 trusts God as the only true good: my portion, my security, my hope beyond death. Jesus rose from the dead to fulfill this psalm, and in him, the path of life is open.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther said the resurrection of Christ is the foundation of Christian joy. Because Jesus rose, we can face death without terror, trusting the one who holds the path of life.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It sings Psalm 16 at the Easter Vigil, the Second Sunday of Easter in Year B, and on the Third Sunday of Easter in Year C.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Second Sunday of Easter Year APsalm, Psalm 16
- Lectionary 13 Year CPsalm, Psalm 16
- Lectionary 33 Year BPsalm, Psalm 16
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Psalm 16, explained in plain words. David finds in God his only good thing, his inheritance, and his hope beyond death. Peter said this pointed to Jesus, who would not see decay. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/psalm-16/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church