Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Psalms 16

This psalm has something of David in it, but much more of Christ. It begins with such expressions of devotion as may be applied to Christ; but concludes with such confidence of a resurrection (and so timely a one as to prevent corruption) as must be applied to Christ, to him only, and cannot be understood of David, as both St. Peter and St. Paul have observed, Acts 2:24, 13:36. For David died, and was buried, and saw corruption. I. David speaks of himself as a member of Christ, and so he speaks the language of all good Christians, professing his confidence in God (Psalms 16:1), his consent to him (Psalms 16:2), his affection to the people of God (Psalms 16:3), his adherence to the true worship of God (Psalms 16:4), and his entire complacency and satisfaction in God and the interest he had in him, Psalms 16:5-16:7. II. He speaks of himself as a type of Christ, and so he speaks the language of Christ himself, to whom all the rest of the psalm is expressly and at large applied (Acts 2:25-2:28). David speaks concerning him (not concerning himself), “I foresaw the Lord always before my face,” etc. And this he spoke, being a prophet, Acts 2:30, 2:31. He spoke, 1. Of the special presence of God with the Redeemer in his services and sufferings, Psalms 16:8. 2. Of the prospect which the Redeemer had of his own resurrection and the glory that should follow, which carried him cheerfully through his undertaking, Psalms 16:9-16:11. MHBCC 495.1