Third Sunday after Pentecost: Psalm 16                              

Psalm 16

Psalm 16 is one of those psalms that, whenever I finish reading it, praying it, I know I should return to it more than I do. I read the entire psalter every month and I am learning the rhythm of the collection. And there is one. It’s not always thematic nor is it chronological, but simply in the rereading of it, one begins to feel where it is going next. You certainly find that within individual psalms with their poetic structure and of course that is somewhat expected.

As Psalm 16 comes to a close, listen to what the Shepherd-King David has given us. Speaking of our God he proclaims:

“You make known to the me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (16:11).

Pleasures forevermore. Good things. Right things. Right pleasures, if you will. So often “pleasure” is tagged in our experience as something negative. Certainly in our world of “pleasure for its own sake” we would be well advised to be cautious and at times avoid those pleasures outright. But the pleasures David speaks of are of a different sort. Perhaps “God-shaped” pleasures. Shaped by his Person and his artistry. And not only in heaven or the New Creation, but now. Lord, keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open to finding and enjoying those pleasures clothed with you. Amen!