Psalm 16
1Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2I say to the LORD, “You are my LORD;
I have no good apart from you.”
3As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
in whom is all my delight.
4Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.
5The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
7I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8I keep the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
10For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
11You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
“… 2I say to the LORD, “You are my LORD; I have no good apart from you.”…”
The words of the psalmist are humbling, especially for those of us who pride ourselves on our accomplishments, success, and prowess. To confess that, apart from the Lord, I have no good is to express humility unparalleled in today’s world. After all, in modern society, a person is defined by what they have done for themselves.
Too often, those parameters establish one’s identity. “What have you done lately?” becomes the mantra for who one is. Without some form of self-accomplishment or success, the person carries the moniker of “Loser”. They are looked down upon by society. They are labeled as malcontent, lazy-bones, or worthless, a burden on others.
The psalmist corrects that misconception by reminding us that our only good comes from the Lord. Apart from God’s presence and power accompanying us on our journey, all that we do and say is meaningless. Of course, God’s good is defined by love, compassion, service to others, joy, peace, hope, and sharing. Those gifts, inspired and empowered by God, are the only good we can accomplish. They are the only meaningful work that will last.
Prayer: You are my Lord. I have no good apart from You. Fill me with Your Good Spirit that love, joy, hope, peace, and sharing may abound in my life. Amen.