What does it mean that “in your presence there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11)?

Answer

Psalm 16:11 is a lovely verse about the hope of eternal joy: “You reveal to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (ESV). To grasp the significance of “in your presence there is fullness of joy,” it is essential to examine the entire context of Psalm 16.

Psalm 16 commences with David’s plea: “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge” (verse 1, ESV). The term “preserve” means “to hedge about, guard, protect, attend to.” While it remains unclear why David requests God to preserve him, it is evident that David knows in whom to seek refuge, for “there is no good apart from [Him]” « O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: My goodness extendeth not to thee; », (Psalm 16:2, ESV). The key point is that the Lord is the source of our protection and well-being.

Subsequently, David expresses his delight in the “saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight” « But to the saints that are in the earth, And to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. », (Psalm 16:3, ESV). This does not imply that David esteems the saints above God or equates them with God. On the contrary, David aims to convey his complete satisfaction with the righteousness (or holiness) of the saints, contrasting it with “those who run after another god” (verse 4, ESV). Being in the company of God’s people brings joy, while being among godless individuals increases sorrow.

Moving on, in Psalm 16:5, David expresses his contentment with the Lord and all His provisions: “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot” (ESV). The Lord is not merely David’s

Portion (or inheritance). He is his chosen portion. This is significant because David acknowledges that only the Lord can satisfy him, so he gladly welcomes all that is received from Him.

In Psalm 16:6, David exults in what it means for God to hold his lot: “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance” (ESV). The “lines” here are either literal or figurative. If taken literally, then the lines are the “allotted periods and the boundaries” «for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. », (Acts 17:28) of David’s dwelling place. If lines should be taken figuratively, which is probably the better interpretation, then it refers to the “pleasant places” «The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly heritage. », (Psalm 16:6) and “pleasures” (verse 11) at God’s right hand. The idea is that God is David’s inheritance cf: Romans 8:17, and he rejoices in this wonderful truth.

In a sermon on Psalm 16, John Piper said this about verse 6: “Therefore, exulting God as his Sovereign is almost the same as exulting in God as his Treasure. God is the sovereign who holds my lot. And he uses that power to make himself my beautiful inheritance—to fence me in to the pleasures of knowing him. He makes himself my treasure” (“The Path to Full and Lasting Pleasure,” Aug 11, 2015).

The Lord is David’s refuge and portion, but He is also David’s counselor: “I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night my heart instructs me” «I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: My reins also instruct me in the night seasons. », (Psalm 16:7, ESV). In thisIn this verse, David praises the Lord for counseling, guiding, and directing his steps, even during the night when his mind is racing or his soul is restless. In these moments, the Lord reassures David of His ever-abiding presence by comforting him with His Word: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105;ESV;cf: Psalm 16:11). David will not be “shaken” “I have set the LORD always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” (Psalm 16:8), abandoned (verse 9), or experience “corruption” (verse 10) because the Lord will preserve him.

We can now address the question, What does it mean that “in your presence there is fullness of joy”? In God’s presence, there is the promise of eternal joy. This promise does not disappoint us, as we are aware that God is reliable and faithful. Therefore, we can trust that death will not deprive us of the complete joy found in God’s presence. In eternity, we will gaze upon the glorious beauty of God’s face forevermore (cf: 1 Corinthians 13:12;1 John 3:2).

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