A prayer of David.
The Hebrew word for “prayer” is מִכְתָּ֥ם (michtam). Its meaning is unclear, but Dr. Martin Luther translated it as “golden jewel.” This song is the “golden jewel” of David, as it foreshadows the resurrection of the Greater David.
16:1 Protect me, O God, for I have taken shelter in you.
When David was pursued by his enemies, he asked Jehovah to protect him. David did not hide behind fortress walls. He took his refuge in Jehovah.
16:2 I say to the Lord, “You are the Lord, my only source of well-being.”
The Hebrew word for well-being is טוֹב (tov), meaning good or beautiful. David’s only source of goodness and beauty came through Jehovah.
16:3 As for God’s chosen people who are in the land, and the leading officials I admired so much— 16:4 their troubles multiply, they desire other gods. I will not pour out drink offerings of blood to their gods, nor will I make vows in the name of their gods.
God’s chosen people was the nation of Israel. The leaders of Israel caused trouble in Israel when they began worshiping demonic idols. They chased David out of the land, because David refused to worship these demonic idols.
16:5 Lord, you give me stability and prosperity; you make my future secure.
Even though David was chased into the wilderness, he was still carrying the messianic seed. He was the anointed King of Israel. Therefore, he knew that his physical life was secure. Nothing could happen to him as long as it was Jehovah’s sovereign will that David rule over his people.
16:6 It is as if I have been given fertile fields or received a beautiful tract of land.
The Abrahamic and Davidic covenants promised David and his descendants some of the very best land in Israel. They would receive this land during the future Millennial Kingdom.
16:7 I will praise the Lord who guides me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn.
Even though David was being chased by his enemies in the wilderness, he still praised Jehovah. He still recognized that Jehovah was guiding him through this dangerous but wonderful journey. David was reflecting and learning through this sanctification process of Jehovah.
16:8 I constantly trust in the Lord; because he is at my right hand, I will not be upended.
David was being chased in the wilderness by godless men who did not respect the Davidic Covenant. They did not mind killing Jehovah’s anointed King of Israel (something which David would never have done to Saul, even though he was given opportunity). David knew that God was with him at his right hand. Therefore, the enemy would not be able to upend David.
16:9 So my heart rejoices and I am happy; My life is safe.
David was being chased in the wilderness by godless enemies, but his personality was cheerful and happy. He rejoiced, because he knew that his life was safe.
16:10 You will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful follower to see the Pit.
Even if David’s godless enemies were to take his physical life, David knew that Jehovah would not leave his soul in Sheol. He was a faithful follower of Jehovah, so God would not leave him in the pit.
Peter and Paul both quoted this verse as a messianic typology of the Greater David. The Lord Jesus Christ would be raised from the dead. Who raised Jesus from the dead? The Father raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus raised Himself from the dead. The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead. The entire Triune Godhead was involved in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is important to note that the Jehovah Witnesses will only quote the first source, but ignore the other two. Their motive is to teach that Jesus is less than deity. Jesus is deity, the Second Person of the Trinity, equal with the Father, but He voluntarily placed Himself in submission to the Father. Jehovah Witnesses teach the submission of Jesus, but they fail to see the equality of Jesus to the Father. Because of their lack of Bible doctrine, they are forced to identify Jesus as the arch angel Michael. Michael was a created angel of Jehovah. Jesus is the uncreated Second Person of the Triune Godhead.
16:11 You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight.
Jehovah led David down the right road of life. David experienced absolute joy in the presence of Jehovah. Jehovah always gave David sheer delight.
David’s Bible doctrine was so strong, that he experienced great joy and happiness, even when godless men were attempting to kill him. Those with strong Bible doctrine will be persecuted by godless men of the satanic world system. However, they will experience great joy, because they are trusting Jehovah to use the negative experience to know God better. The mind of God is made known through the study and application of Bible doctrine.