David, in distrust of merit, 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.
Title. לדוד מכתם miktam ledavid: Michtam of David.— David's sculpture. This title occurs before some other Psalms, and it is rendered constantly by the LXX, στηλογραφια, "an inscription for, or to be engraved on, a pillar." Houbigant translates it, arcanum, secret. It seems to mean, that those Psalms to which this word is prefixed are especially remarkable, and worthy of everlasting remembrance; worthy to be written in golden letters, and set up in some public place to teach; for so it is expressed Psalms 60.; that is, that the people might learn them, and be able to join. This Psalm, besides the admirable expressions of David's faith and confidence in God, when, as it is supposed, he was violently persecuted by Saul, contains a very remarkable prophecy concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, and particularly his resurrection from the dead. See the remarks on the title of Psalms 60.
Psalms 16:1. Preserve me, O God, &c.— The application which St. Peter makes of a great part of this Psalm to Jesus Christ, Acts 2:25-31 obliges us to look upon it as a prophesy, wherein he himself is introduced as speaking to God the Father. These first words of the Psalm, Preserve me, O God, &c. briefly comprehend the prayer of Jesus Christ to his Father, related John 17:2; John 17:26 and that which he made to him in his agony, Matthew 26:39; Matthew 26:42; Matthew 26:44 together with that great confidence in the love of God his Father, which he shewed even to his death; which made his enemies insultingly say to him on the cross, Let him deliver him now, if he will have him.