To explicate something is to unfold it and study each part to make it clear or explicit. "Psalm 16" is one of the most "joyful" chapters of the Bible. The words in bold italics indicate the theme of joy in the Lord Jehovah as it runs throughout the Psalm. The bold print alone reflects the parallel theme of security, also a result of knowing the Lord. The underlined words indicate the comparison to those who "run after other gods."

"Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge. I said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.' As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made 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 have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand."

Joy and happiness are often used interchangeably in the English language, but there is a difference. Happiness comes from and is affected by circumstances, while joy comes from the Lord and can not be shaken by circumstances. Joy, literally translated "cheer, merriment, gladness" in  this Psalm, is the same joy we encounter in Isaiah 29:19, speaking of the time when the Lord will come: "Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." It is the same joy, the calm delight, that is listed as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. This can be contrasted to happiness which literally translates "prosperous, blessed" and is directly related to circumstances as in Psalm 127:3-5: "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him . . . Happy is the man whose quiver is full of them." More indirectly, Jesus, after washing the disciples feet, said, "Now that you know these things, happy are you if you do them." Happiness depends on the "without," while joy depends on the "within."

The Psalmist finds joy in the circumstances in which the Lord has placed him: "You have assigned my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places." The Psalmist also finds joy in the Lord's instruction: "I will praise the Lord who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me . . . You have made known to me the path of life." Security is a large part of the Psalmist's joy. Notice how at the beginning of the Psalm, he seems to be in distress, but as the Psalm progresses, he relaxes in the knowledge that God will protect him. He does not even stress over the future: "Surely I have a delightful inheritance . . . You have made known to me the path of life . . . You will fill me with eternal pleasures . . . ."

The recognition of need at the beginning of the Psalm is quickly overcome by the recognition of the love and power of God to provide. It is a Psalm of trust and encouragement, and a jewel of the definition of joy.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You have planted joy within my heart. Help me always to be as Paul, content whatever my circumstances. Please minister that same joy to all who stand in need today. Help them to find security, gladness, rejoicing, and the instruction that leads to all those glorious blessings in Your Holy Name. Amen