7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. 10 For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.
11 You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 16: 7-11 NRSV
The gratitude of the Psalmist comes through in these verses, for he has been saved from destruction. King David is thankful to the Lord for his wise counsel, and is not shy about expressing his gratitude.
For what are YOU thankful to the Lord? Considering this question is a worthwhile spiritual exercise. There may be multiple blessings for which gratitude wells up in your heart. If so, please offer your thankfulness to the Lord right now…
King David is grateful for many things, but central to all of them is his salvation. He writes that the Lord does not let his “faithful one see the Pit.”
He also describes the Lord as showing him “the path of life.” If nothing else, we can be grateful to the Lord for life itself, and for the gift of eternal life.
So many things in our world over-promise, and under-deliver. It is the nature of temptation to imagine sin will be satisfying, only to realize that it leaves a sour taste afterwards. Yet the Lord offers us the path of life! No wonder the Psalm ends with David exclaiming, “In your presence, my God, there is fullness of joy!”
Prayer
God of our salvation,
You are my refuge, and my strength. Thank you for the great counsel and advice you offer to me. Most of all, thank you for showing me the path of life. Your forgiveness of me, and your mercy in taking away my sins: how can I ever repay you for such blessings? Help me to remember to offer my thanks to you often, like King David. I pray this prayer in the name of the King of Kings, my Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
