What is the meaning of Psalm 16:5? The LORD – The focus is immediately placed on the covenant God, not an abstract force. – “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1) echoes the same personal trust. – David is speaking directly to the One who revealed Himself as “I AM” (Exodus 3:14), underscoring that every promise flows from God’s unchanging character. – Relationship, not ritual, is at the heart of the verse. is my chosen portion – In Israel, “portion” pointed to an allotted inheritance (cf. Numbers 18:20, where the Levites receive the LORD as their inheritance). – By choice, David claims God Himself as the treasure of his life, mirroring “The LORD is my portion, says my soul” (Lamentations 3:24). – Practical implications: • Contentment that outlasts material gain (1 Timothy 6:6). • Freedom from envy because the best has already been secured in God (Psalm 73:26). • Confidence that God’s resources can never be exhausted. and my cup – In Scripture a “cup” often pictures one’s assigned experience—either blessing or judgment. Here it brims with blessing. – “You prepare a table before me… my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5) parallels the thought of abundant satisfaction. – The imagery suggests: • Sustenance for daily living (Isaiah 55:1). • Joy that God Himself pours (John 15:11). • Salvation personally received: “I will lift up the cup of salvation” (Psalm 116:13). You have made my lot secure – “Lot” recalls the casting of lots to assign land (Joshua 18:10). God personally fixes David’s destiny. – Stability flows from divine sovereignty: “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places” (Psalm 16:6). – Outcomes of this security: • Protection that cannot be overturned (John 10:28). • An inheritance “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven” (1 Peter 1:4). • Peace in the present journey, knowing each circumstance fits within God’s ordained plan (Romans 8:28). summary Psalm 16:5 celebrates a believer’s fullest confidence: the living LORD Himself is possession, provision, and protection. Because God is David’s chosen treasure, his life’s cup overflows and his future is safely staked in divine hands. Such assurance frees the heart to rest, rejoice, and follow God with undivided devotion. |
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