New: 4 March 2025
Fullness of Joy
in His Presence
Psalm 16
You will make known to me
the path of life;
in Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Psalm 16:11 NASB
Joy as Good Medicine
'A joyful heart is good medicine,' said the wise king (Proverb 17:22a). A happy heart is seen in a cheerful face (15:13a). When he hear good news, it makes us glad (12:25b). However, anxiety weighs us down (12:25a), sadness of heart can break our spirit (15:13b) and sap the energy of life out of us (17:22b). These antithetical proverbs speak of the positive effects of joy and the dangers of negativity and sadness. Our attitude also has an effect on our physical health. We cannot have a positive life with a negative mindset. Although life can be hard and unfair, trusting is God can make us handle life well and have joy despite the pain.
The psalmist stated that there is fullness of joy in God's presence (Psalm 16:11). God is the foundation of life (Psalm 36:9; E13). He is life Giver. When He created Adam, He breathed His Spirit into him and man became a living being (Genesis 2:7). God created our lungs and provides the oxygen for us to life. God made a beautiful world for us to enjoy and care for. He wants us to be happy and content. Although there is much to despair over in this world, yet God wants us to 'rejoice' (Philippians 4:4) as we live in the joy Jesus promised us (John 15:11). When the angel announced the Messiah's birth, it was good news of great joy (Luke 2:10-11). We have reason to rejoice and have God Himself as the source of joy.
God is the Source of Joy
David was preserved by God as he took refuge in Him (Psalm 16:1). Yahweh was his Lord and his greatest treasure in this world (v 2). There were those who lived as God's people (v 3) and there were those who served other gods (v 4a). David would not participate in their blood rituals, nor mention their names (v 4b). Yahweh was his portion and his support (v 5). What God had given him was 'beautiful' to him (v 6).
Looking at our portion in life and seeing beauty in it is a source of gratitude, peace and contentment. Being jealous of others and what they have by constantly comparing will never bring peace and joy. It is rather a reason for unrest in our soul. We should not covet what others have (Exodus 20:17). For David, God alone was his God and Lord; he had 'no other gods,' nor idols in his life (vv 3-4). David was dedicated to God wholeheartedly and was content with his portion in life. There is joy and peace in this attitude.
God was also the source of counsel, instruction and guidance for David (Psalm 16:7). He had set God before him at all times and therefore would not be shaken (v 8). This made his heart glad and his life secure (v 9). He knew God would protect him and show him 'the path of life.' God is the Provider of joy and pleasure, which are found in His presence (vv 10-11). True joy and real life are from the One who created us. Seeking joy and pleasure in the wrong places or in the wrong ways, can bring great harm. The deep satisfaction and true peace we are all seeking is found only in the Giver of life. It is important, as David did, to seek God's counsel and guidance, set Him before us in everything we do and find joy and contentment in Him and His presence. God had promised Moses that His presence would be with him and God would give him peace (Exodus 33:14). Jesus promised us His peace, a peace the world cannot give, to be our portion (John 14:27). He is the Prince of life and peace who gives true life and lasting peace.
Peace I leave with you;
My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Do not let your heart be troubled,
nor let it be fearful.
John 14:27 NASB
The Prince of Life
Jesus is 'the Prince of life,' Peter witnessed (Acts 3:15). He was killed by crucifixion, yet God raised Him from the dead. The grave couldn't hold Him! Jesus is the Holy and Righteous One who was disowned before earthly rulers but glorified by teh God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (vv 13-14). Yahweh is the living God and the God of the living (Matthew 22:32). He is the great I AM, the One who is (Exodus 3:14). The life Giver and God of all flesh. Jesus is God's Son who died for the sins of the world and was raised from the dead to overcome death and give eternal life.
Peter, in witnessing to the resurrection of the crucified Messiah, quoted David's words from Psalm 16 (Acts 2:25-28). He used the latter part of the psalm to show how God would not leave His Holy One to decay. Peter claimed that David spoke these words of the Messiah (Acts 2:31), since David, evidently, had passed away (v 29). Jesus is the promised descendant of David (v 30; see 2 Samuel 7:12-14), whom God raised from the dead never to see death again (Acts 2:32). He is seated at the right hand of God as another psalm had predicted (vv 33-35; see Psalm 110:1). Jesus is Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:36) because of His resurrection and exaltation. He is the Prince of life who pours forth His Spirit on those who believe and repent (vv 37-41). The Prince of life gives life to those who call on His Name! In His presence is fullness of life and He sends 'times of refreshing from His presence to those who repent and believe (Acts 3:19).