Chapter 16

This psalm is sung from the perspective of a person perfect according to God. Ps.16:1. Hear, Lord, my truth. These words are filled with great confidence. The Psalmist here mentions truth not to praise himself, and not because he pretends to be a righteous man, but as if he is saying: since I rightly ask for Your help, and I want to get rid of what I suffer unjustly, persecuted by Saul for no reason, then hear and fulfill my request. Instill my prayer not in flattering lips, - because God listens to the prayer not of flattering lips, but of a pure tongue and accustomed to learn from the words of God. Ps.16:2. From Your presence my destiny will come. He clearly prays that the Only Begotten will be his judge. My eyes see what is right. To ask the Son for righteous judgment, as He judged us. Ps.16:3. Thou hast tempted my heart, thou hast visited me at night: thou hast tempted me, and iniquity is not found in me. It is common to call blasphemy against God an untruth to the divine Scripture. For it is said: “untruth is as high as the verb” (Ps. 72:8). Ps.16:4. For let not my mouth speak of the deeds of men. He also teaches us to be careful not to say anything mortal or human. For the words of Your lips I have preserved the cruel ways. According to Your commandments I entered the narrow and straitened gate. Ps.16:5. Make my steps in Your paths. This word teaches us not to rely on ourselves, but to establish ourselves in God. “The path and” of the Lord are the observance of the commandments. Ps.16:6. I cried out, because you heard me, O God. It is said: “thou hast heard” - instead of: “thou shalt hear.” It was not in vain that I appealed to You, but having experienced Your love for mankind through experience; because I was often heard by You, calling You. “Appeal” is a thought directed towards God. God is all ears, because He hears everything. Ps.16:10. Here's your 3rd shutter. Ps.16:11. Turn your eyes to the ground. They, he says, had one goal: to attract, no matter how it is, to the earth and incline to carnal wisdom. Ps.16:13. Thy weapons are from Thy enemy's hands. The soul of a righteous person, especially one who attracts sinners from wickedness to godliness, is like a sword sharpened against the spirits of evil. This sword, which You, the Lord, sharpened against Your enemies, “deliver... from Your enemy’s hand” (Ps. 16:13-14). Who are the enemies of the hand of God if not those who resist faith in the Only Begotten of God, Who is also the hand of God? Ps.16:14. Lord, I have divided the earth from the little ones. He prays that the wicked will be excommunicated and, as it were, separated from the little ones. Who are these “little ones” if not those about whom it is said: “many... are the callings, but few are the chosen” (Matthew 20:16)? And their belly is filled with Your hidden ones. They, he says, enjoyed everything honorable; and therefore, they have reached such contempt that they are lawless. The words: “Thy hidden ones” mean: with those secret punishments of which You have knowledge and which I do not know, fill their bellies or, to be precise, fill them themselves. She was satisfied with her sons, and left the remains of her baby. They were filled with all kinds of iniquity and passed it on to their children, even leaving their sons to their babies, that is, to their grandchildren. Ps.16:15. I will appear before Your face in righteousness. I will not be like them, and I will not be satisfied with what they are satisfied with, but I will be filled with Your glory through righteous deeds. The word “fat” (Church - fat. Editorial of the ABC of Faith) signifies the very great prosperity of the enemies. You might be interested in: