1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

O God. I love when the psalmist uses that phrase. It makes you feel as though he were crying out.

So often I look to other things to preserve me and to keep me safe, but nothing else, but you can keep me safe. The word "preserve" literally means to maintain or keep alive, keep safe from harm or injury. You God are the only one who can keep me safe. That word "preserve" is so strong and isn't even strong enough to describe how you protect me. Keep me safe O God, for I only want to take refuge in you.

2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”

We look at what the world has to offer and so often we pick that fruit rather than the ones you have already laid aside for us. My prayer is that I would acknowledge that you are the only good thing in my life and that I wouldn't waste what you have given me. That I wouldn't despair when things seem to not be going my way because even in those times I have you, the only good thing that I ever could need. I pray that I would strive after the gift of Yourself. I say to my Lord, "You are mine and I am yours; and apart from your love and mercy there is nothing close to good in my life."

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.

God nothing but you brings happiness. Though I never knew a time before you I have been in pitfalls where it seemed as though you weren't there and the sorrow in my heart even though you have never left my side was great and I can only imagine one who has never known you. How could someone who didn't know you ever be happy? Ever find fulfillment? David doesn't even want to mention the names of these sad people because theirs is the greatest plight. The emptiness of the people who look for fulfillment in anything, but you God will never find happiness; I will not even recognize them or mention their names.

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
HCSB: Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future.

Before the world you chose me first and it is only now that I see my weakness and that you have chosen me that I get to choose you back, and I do choose you. You are my everything and often in my weakness I forget that. Help me not to. You hold my whole future in your hands and I shouldn't doubt or be afraid because you have my best intentions in mind and already know what you have for me. But even though I know that and am told that I'm still scared. I'm terrified of messing up not to mention being away from home and family. No doubt it'll make me stronger and help me for what you have in store, but I pray that you would help me be strong now before the scariness of what's to come. Lord, you are my everything, you hold my future, help me to trust you.

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

Help me to see that what's here on earth is a shadow of what you have in store for me. Help me to know that I have it good and that so many others have it far worse than being afraid of college and worrying about problems that to others don't even matter. The future that awaits me and the things you have already given me are favorable, you have made me an heir to your kingdom.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
HCSB: I will praise the Lord who counsels me — even at night my conscience instructs me.

Thank you God for counseling me for giving me advice. Though often I try so hard to listen to what you have to say that I trip over myself and miss it. I pray that I would wait to hear and that it wouldn't be so hard to hear your whisper. I praise you Lord for hearing me and answering me, thank you that my heart follows willingly.

8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

So often I try to have you in the front of my mind, but usually I fail. It'll work for a minute before my brain thinks of something and you're gone. Even when I'm in crisis mode it's sometimes hard to focus on you instead of what I can do to fix the situation. I pray that you would be forefront in my mind and that I would strive to keep you there always not just when it's hard, but also when it's joyous. You are my friend and someone I can always talk to. You block the giant asteroids hurtling towards me and I will not be shaken with fear because you are next to me and I pray that that would be true. I have set you to be the forefront of my mind God, you are always at my side, and I will not be shaken, but will lean against you.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

It's awesome how this verse begins to summarize all of the other verses. "Therefore my heart is glad…" David has spent several verses talking to the Lord about how he was scared and didn't know what he was going to do, but that he knew the Lord would take care of him. Now in the end he rejoices that the Lord is on his side.

God my heart is so happy to have you here with me. It's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster lately, but you have never failed to hold me up. My entire being rejoices that you are walking with me. I know that I get scared and overthink things, but the one thing I always know is that you will never leave my side. I can rest in the knowledge that you will protect me. I can go to sleep at night because I know you're there. My heart is so happy that you are here, my whole body rejoices that you walk with me; I am able to sleep and rest because my safety comes from you.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

Thank you God that you care for me. Thank you that you chose me for a better world than this. Help me to see that I was destined for greater things than what this world offers. God you have not cast me aside, but have made a place for me with you. You will not let me see torment and have promised it to me.

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (‭Psalm‬ ‭16‬:‭1-11‬ ESV)
HCSB: You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.

The path that you lay out for me God is good. It is one of life and prosperity and I will try not to doubt you. Help me to acknowledge when I'm scared and show me the path that you want for my life. Help me to listen better to your whisper. Everything about you and all that you have to give has joy. Your presence is filled with life and joy and happiness. All that you want to give us is that and an eternity of pleasures. I'm so thankful that that's what we get to look forward to. I'm so thankful that in life we have something incredible to hope in. You show me the great path that you have set aside for my life; everything from you is abundant joy; in your hand you hold the promise of an eternity of pleasure.

I'm so glad that those verses were how David chose to end his psalm. They speak of life and joy and thanksgiving and peace.