Psalm 16 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 16 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
Verse 2I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."
Verse 3As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.
Verse 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.
Verse 5The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
Verse 6The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.
Verse 7I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
Verse 8I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Verse 9Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.
Verse 10For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.
Verse 11You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Devotion
Every time a friend of mine shares “The Peace” with her fellow worshippers, she does it as if she might never see them again. “God’s peace be with you,” becomes a benediction; an acknowledgment that, no matter what may happen, the peace of God is a gift that follows them.
My friend’s attitude points to how important it is for us to make one another’s lives as peaceful as possible; to be people who speak of and bring peace to troubled relationships and situations.
Is there a place in your life which cries out for peace? Is there someone who longs to be at peace with you and needs you to take the first step — perhaps the first step yet again?
Prayer
“You, O LORD, will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy” (Ps. 16:11a). Amen.