John Calvin Commentary Psalms 16:1

"Preserve me, O God; for in thee do I take refuge." — Psalms 16:1 (ASV)

This is a prayer in which David commits himself to God's protection. He does not, however, ask earnestly for God's aid here in some particular emergency, as he often does in other psalms. Instead, he asks earnestly for God to show himself as his protector throughout his entire life. Indeed, our safety, both in life and in death, depends entirely on our being under God's protection.

What follows concerning trust, signifies much the same as if the Holy Spirit assured us through David that God is ready to help all of us, provided we rely upon him with a sure and firm faith. He takes under his protection only those who commit themselves to him with their whole heart.

At the same time, we must be reminded that David, supported by this trust, continued firm and unmoved amidst all the storms of adversity with which he was assailed.