Psalm 16


Psalm 16 is the 16th psalm from the Book of Psalms.
Charles and Emilie Briggs summarized its contents as follows: "Ps 16 is a psalm of faith. The psalmist has sought refuge in Yahweh his sovereign Lord, and supreme welfare ; whose good pleasure is in His saints. The apostates have many sorrows, and he keeps apart from them and their impious worship. Yahweh is his portion and his inheritance in pleasant places ; he enjoys His counsel and continual helpful presence ; he is glad and secure, confident that Yahweh will not abandon him in Sheol, but will grant him life and joy forever in His presence."
According to Briggs, the author of this Psalm drew on Jeremiah 23:6, 33:16; Deuteronomy 33:12; and the Book of Ezra for phrases and concepts, and most likely wrote the Psalm in the Persian period.

Uses

Judaism

Verse 3 is found in Pirkei Avot Chapter 6, no. 10.
Psalm 16 is one of the ten Psalms of the Tikkun HaKlali of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov.

New Testament

Some verses of Psalm 16 are referenced in the New Testament:
In those cases both Peter and Paul applied Psalm 16 to Jesus' resurrection and not to David's life.