Psalm 16

(A David poem.)

Keep me going, God
You’re my safe place.

People say to Yahweh:
“You’re the Greatest,
Everything good in my life
Is because of you.”
They say, “God’s people
Are the best people I know.
I admire them so much.”

But these same people pursue happiness,
Becoming slaves to their obsessions,
Their idols.
I refuse to sacrifice my soul
To the obsessions that rule people like gods.
I don’t even like talking about them.

Yahweh, you’re my one identity,
You’re my prize.
You secure my future.
You are my inheritance,
Like a lovely plot
With acreage and an exquisite view.

Listening to Yahweh leads to the best kind of life.
Even at night, he speaks to my heart.
I orient myself straight toward Yahweh.
I don’t need to look anywhere else for support,
He’s right there.

My heart,
My tongue,
My body,
Every aspect of my life is in harmony,
Happy and secure.
I’m not afraid of death.
The grave isn’t the last word
On my life.

The trail you guide me down
Is life and life and more life.
When I’m with you,
My joy is complete.
I don’t need to pursue happiness,
Because you have everything I’d ever want,
And you give it generously —
Forever.