This Psalm strikes at the hypocrites who say that holiness stands in the pretended works of the law of God, or in the vain and foolish works of human invention and tradition; and it teaches us how to understand the law of God rightly, and to live godly and righteously. It shows us that we are to walk in the spirit and to mortify the desires of the flesh. For the sum of all godliness is this;—to love and worship God with a pure heart by faith, and then, to direct our lives for the good of our neighbour; and to avoid all those things which militate against these two; that is, to shun all hypocrisy and pretended holiness, which militates against both faith and love: for such an one is ignorant of the true worship of God, and neglects all truly good works, which should be done for the benefit of his neighbour. It has reference to the Third Commandment of the Decalogue, concerning keeping holy the sabbath day, which is done when we hear and learn the word. And it refers also to the third petition of the Lord’s Prayer. PSALM XVI. _David, in distrust of merits, and hatred of idolatry, fleeth to God for preservation.—He sheweth the hope of his calling, of the resurrection, and life everlasting._ Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. _O my soul_, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou _art_ my Lord: my goodness _extendeth_ not to thee; _But_ to the saints that _are_ in the earth, and _to_ the excellent, in whom _is_ all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied _that_ hasten _after_ another _god_; their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. The LORD _is_ the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant _places_; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night-seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because _he is_ at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence _is_ fulness of joy; at thy right hand _there are_ pleasures for evermore. This is a prophecy concerning the passion and resurrection of Christ; and the apostles quote it, Acts ii. and xiii. as having a striking reference to Christ.