King David wrote most of the Psalms. In the Scriptures David portrays both the providing Father and the obedient Son, so he can be said to be a type of God the Father and a type of Christ the Son. He was a man of blood having fought many battles and killed many men. Jesus also was a man of blood having shed his blood for the sins of many. David provided all the materials for the building of the House of God, whose house we are. Solomon, David’s son and third king of Israel, built God’s natural house, the first temple. Solomon, being a carnal man, represents or typifies the overcomers, carnal men who have determined to follow and obey God and who will one day be glorified as living stones within God’s house.
The New Testament quotes many of David’s words, including verses 8 and 10 of this psalm, because they prophesied future events and both natural and spiritual realities. In this psalm we see David as the obedient son who trusts in his Father, takes refuge in him, and knows that the has no source or provision outside of him.
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
Next, David distinguishes “the excellent ones,” God’s overcomers who have remained faithful through a lifetime of trials from those who seek the ways of the world and the “gods” who fuel the lusts of those ways.
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.[b]
4 The sorrows of those who run after[c] another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.
Next David explains the choice of the saints in the land, including himself. He proclaims that making such a choice insures one’s “pleasant” inheritance.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
Then he teaches that God constantly counsels and instructs the one who sets his mind, thoughts, and heart upon the LORD.
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.[d]
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
And finally David foretells the joy and security which comes to the obedient son who truly trusts his loving heavenly Father.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being[e] rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.[f]
11 You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16, ESV)
