Sr. Bincy Thumpanathu CMC
READING: Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “you are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” I say of the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones in whom is all my delight. Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken (Psalm 16:1-8).
REFLECTION : This is an exquisitely wonderful psalm highlighting complete dependence on God especially in times of trials. This fact is attested in the very opening verse: protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. To take refuge in the Lord essentially means to rely on God for safety and security. The expression therefore is closely related to the declarations of trust. Also the plea for God ‘to protect’ is a common theme found in the book of Psalms. The request is nothing but to keep away one from harm and danger. Expanding the declaration of trust that began in verse 1, the psalmist says to the Lord, “you are my Lord” which indeed denounce the worship of other gods. In Psalm 16, one could find that the living God and the lifeless idols are juxtaposed. However, the psalmist finds the secret of contentment and great gladness only in living God. He knows that true help and refuge comes from the God of Israel. Therefore, in confidence the psalmist declares delightfully the fact that his inheritance is not false idols but God himself.
St. Augustine comments on this psalm as follows: ‘O God, you are my heritage! May you yourself be my heritage. It is you I love. Beside you, nothing can satisfy me and all that you can give me other than yourself is vile.’ St. Teresa of Avila also explains further: ‘let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things are passing away: God never changes. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.’ Also noteworthy is the expression ‘right hand’ in verse 8. “With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Right hand is a symbol of powerful protection. Since the psalmist had kept the Lord before him, in the depths of his being, he always found joy.
PRAYER: All powerful Lord, you are our refuge, you are our protection and your word is our source of hope. We keep our trust in you and take refuge in you, for your love and faithfulness, along with your goodness and mercy, encircle us day by day. Help us to remain steadfast, no matter what the circumstances are, trusting always your will for our lives. Guide us in all our thoughts, words, decisions and actions. Never allow us to be intimidated by worldly situations, but to be confident that you are who we lean on. May we walk in complete confidence knowing that you are with us always.
CONTEMPLATION: Sit peacefully with a prayerful heart. Experience quietness within your soul and make a silent prayer: Come Lord and fill me with your holy presence. Restore and refresh my exhausted spirit. Lord, you know that my life is in your hands. My trust, faith and my hope is on you alone, Lord. Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Let me feel your protection. Let me feel as if I am under the shadow of your wings. Pause for a little while reflecting on the wonderful protecting ways of the Lord in your lives.
ACTION: Repent on those moments you spent life in grudge and depression.
Do not let your heart be troubled, but rely in the promises of the Lord.
Learn to place trust in the Lord, and find refuge in him when trouble comes.
