"Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:1-11)

          The precious little Psalm is called "the golden psalm" or "the precious jewel of the psalms" because of what it says about Jesus. The idea of "The golden" psalm is what is expressed in the title "Michtam of David" that provides the heading for this psalm. This psalm reveals the faith that David in God both in life and death. David saw the need to trust God and delight in the people of God. David looked to God as His good inheritance and he praised Him for His counsel. David had confidence in his own resurrection from the dead and later his words were applied directly to Jesus and His resurrection. (Acts 2:25-31, Acts 13:33-37) The golden secret had to do with the resurrection from the dead. David looked to God as his refuge in life and his hope in death.

          The Lord as his refuge-- Psalm 16:1-4: David began the psalm with a prayer for God's protection, "Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust." He accepted the Lord as his refuge and hope. He placed his trust in God knowing that God would preserve him. He delighted in God's goodness and the goodness of the saints. David found refuge in God as he faced the dangers of this world. He said to God, "I run to you for safety." David recognized that every good thing in his life was a gift from God. David also found great joy in the people of God!

          Gaining satisfaction in the Lord -- Psalm 16:5-6: David looked upon God as his inheritance and his cup. He understood that God maintained him. God was a good inheritance to him. Can you say with David, "You, LORD, are all I want? You are my choice, and you keep me safe. You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright." One great blessing of being a Christian is to realize that God provides for us and blesses us according to His perfect will. This should produce a genuine contentment in our life. Paul wrote, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Philippians 4:11) Contented people are quick to recognize blessing from God.

          Receiving counsel from God -- Psalm 16:7-8: David praised God for being his guide or counsel even in the darkest night. He allowed the teachings of God to fill his mind. We must learn to listen to God! David meditated on God often in the night hours as well as the day. (Psalm 1) With television, computers, telephones and lights we have lost much of the night when, as in David's day there was not much to do except to look up to God and meditate on His counsel. He said, "I praise you, LORD, for being my guide. Even in the darkest night, your teachings fill my mind. I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear."

          Having hope in death -- Psalm 16:9-11: The final result of taking refuge in God is our eternal reward. David had joy as he thought about the resurrection from the dead. He could rest in hope because he knew that God would raise even his body from the dead. David anticipated a great future in the presence of God, (1) God will show him the paths of life, (2) In God's presence is fullness of joy, and (3) At His right hand are pleasures forevermore.

          This applied to David but the primary fulfillment was looking to Jesus. (Acts 2:25-31, Acts 13:33-37) The path of life is tied directly to the thought that God's Holy One did not see corruption in the grave, rather He arose. The heart of the Christian faith is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)