Psalm 16:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

NIV: LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.

NASB: The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot.

CSB: Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future.

NLT: Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.

KJV: The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

NKJV: O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.

David rejoices in his relationship with the Lord. As used in the Old Testament, references to a "portion" implied sharing in something. It also suggested that with which a person was gifted, or allotted, either in life or some other situation (Ecclesiastes 9:9). To say that God is one's "portion" is to celebrate being part of the family of God (Galatians 4:5; 1 John 3:1). Similar symbolism comes in the concept of a "cup;" this can also refer to something a person has been assigned or allotted, for good or for bad (Matthew 20:22; 26:39).

The Levites were the tribe who received no land in Canaan but were honored with priestly duties. Their "portion" was God: "You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel" (Numbers 18:20). This idea is part of the reference to "lines" in the following verse (Psalm 16:6). Likewise, David's most valuable inheritance was his relationship with the Lord. God is all David needs. In Psalm 23:1, David confesses, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."

Psalm 73 reveals how Asaph wondered why the wicked prospered, but he didn't (Psalm 73:2–3). However, he learned to see matters from the Lord's perspective and concluded, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you [the Lord]" (Psalm 73:25). The believer whose attitude matches that of David and Asaph enjoys true riches and perfect peace (1 Timothy 6:6).

Psalm 16:5–8 expresses David's elation in God and gives reasons for it. This celebratory tone is set up by the prior passage, which established God as David's ultimate refuge and source of goodness. The verses in this section form the core of the psalm's joyful song. David rejoices in his relationship with the Lord, in his inheritance in Israel, and in the Lord's direction for his life.

David asks the Lord for protection, trusting in God as a safe place from enemies and evil. He confesses that apart from the Lord he has nothing good. This psalm exudes David's joy, using words such as "delight," "pleasant," "glad," "rejoices," "joy," and "pleasures." David celebrates his relationship with God. Because the Lord is with him always, David feels secure, even in the face of death. This is because his eternal destiny is assured. His celebration foreshadows the Messiah, who would conquer death and experience resurrection.

This psalm belongs with those expressing David's confidence in the Lord. Despite opposition, David knew God was guiding and protecting him. The psalm exudes joy as David places his trust in the Lord. Perhaps David wrote these words after the Lord gave His covenant to David (2 Samuel 7:1–17) and guaranteed David would have an everlasting throne. A phrase in verse 10 is often cited in the New Testament when discussing the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.