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
I have shared many great moments of beauty and joy with a good friend. In the midst of these moments he always says, "It doesn't get any better than this."
The writer of Psalm 16 shares his experience of God's gifts. A God who is "refuge," "a good heritage," "at my right hand," "always before me;" a God who "gives counsel." Every moment that we spend with a friend who shares their deep experience of God is precious. And when we then add our own stories and experiences, the moments only become that much richer. In those moments we can add our own benediction, "It doesn't get any better than this."
Prayer
Thanks for the gift of every friend who shares their experience of the gifts of God. Amen.