If you’ve ever written a personal note or card to someone you love, expressing what you love about them and telling how you enjoy being with them, you’ll have a bit of an idea about David’s inspiration for writing Psalm 16. It’s his personal celebration of joy about his close fellowship with God.
David was overflowing with joy in God’s presence because he had made a deliberate choice. He trusted God for what He had planned for him, in life and in death. As a result, David discovered that with the Lord at his side, he truly lacked no good thing.
David wrote this “personal note,” but it captures our hearts, too, when we draw near to the Lord. Pleasures that can never fade are found at God’s right hand. Surely we have a delightful inheritance when we walk with Him throughout our lives. Chasing after earthly riches, exotic vacations, more education, job promotions, etc., may leave us feeling empty. There is no need to search the world for something to fill the aching void that exists. The Lord Himself is our portion and our cup.