Psalm 16 constitutes something of a puzzle for scholars.  

The intrigue begins even before the actual text commences.  An ancient subtitle to the psalm calls it a “miktam of David.”  We don’t know exactly what this word means, but it is applied to a grand total of six psalms in our Bible, and all of the other five are found right together (Psalms 56-60.)  This psalm feels like an orphan, separated from its family.

Our best guess about the meaning of miktam suggests that each of these psalms was an inscription, probably engraved on a monument commemorating some special event.  Four of these psalms, in fact, are assigned to specific events in the life of David.

If psalm 16 was written in response to some special event in David’s life, we are unlikely to ever know what event was intended.  The references within the psalm are enigmatic at best.  The first three verses, in particular, are extremely difficult to translate.  The version printed in our hymnal deflects this difficulty by simply leaving the verses out, picking up with verse 5.

Whatever the original sense of these first four verses, it is clear that they constitute some sort of a statement against idolatry, which the psalmist deals with decisively in verses 5-8, claiming the God of Israel alone as his benefactor, instructor, and salvation.  The early church was quick to grasp the significance of this language as it pertains to the promises of eternal life offered through Jesus Christ.  It is this spirit that we offer the psalm as a prayer today.