Psalms 16 - Introduction

This Psalm is a joyous profession of faith and hope, springing from the sense of a living fellowship with Jehovah. The danger, if special danger there was, which prompted the prayer of Psalms 16:1, lies entirely in the background. The Psalmist's whole soul is possessed and kindled by the thought that Jehovah is his highest good.

It has been suggested that the Psalm was written by David during his outlaw life. He had been banished from his share in the inheritance of Jehovah, and exposed to the danger of apostasy (1 Samuel 26:19, R.V. marg.). In this hour of trial he triumphs in the thought that Jehovah Himself is the portion of his inheritance, a fairer portion than the goodliest fields and vineyards which could have fallen to his lot (Psalms 16:5); and he energetically repudiates the idea of yielding to the temptation to serve another god (Psalms 16:4).

There are many links of connexion (see Introd. to Psalms 17) between this Psalm and Psalms 17, and they may with good reason be assigned to the same author. As Psalms 17 may with much probability be referred to the time of David's persecution by Saul, the presumption in favour of the Davidic authorship of Psalms 16 is strengthened.

Many critics however refer both Psalms to a much later period. Ewald groups together 17, 16, 49 (in this order), and on the ground of language and contents places them in the Exile.

If, as is often assumed to be the case, Psalms 16:9-11 and Psalms 17:15 explicitly declare the Psalmist's belief in a resurrection and a future life of blessedness, in sharp contrast to such passages as Psalms 6:5; Psalms 30:9; Psalms 88:10-12, these Psalms could hardly be placed earlier than the Exile. Delitzsch indeed, while admitting that the doctrine of a Resurrection does not appear in pre-exilic times as a truth of revelation, asks why it should not appear in Davidic Psalms as -a bold postulate of faith." But if the line of interpretation adopted below is correct, the Psalmist's thoughts are to be viewed from a different stand-point altogether. "His antithesis is not this world and the next, but life with God and life without God." (Cheyne.)

The Psalm falls into three divisions.

i. The Psalmist grounds his prayer for protection on his relation to Jehovah, Who alone is the source of happiness. His delight is in the society of the faithful; with apostates he will have no fellowship (Psalms 16:1-4).

ii. The thought that Jehovah is his sole good, the source of all his weal, is taken up and developed (Psalms 16:5-8).

iii. Secure in this faith he anticipates a life of true felicity in unbroken fellowship with Jehovah (Psalms 16:9-11).

For a valuable exposition of this Psalm by Prof. W. Robertson Smith see The Expositor, 1876, Vol. iv. pp. 341 ff.

On the title Michtamsee Introd. p. xx.