John Calvin Commentary Psalms 16:11

"Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." — Psalms 16:11 (ASV)

The Psalmist confirms the statement made in the preceding verse and explains the way in which God will exempt him from the bondage of death: namely, by conducting and eventually bringing him safely to the possession of eternal life. From this we again learn what I have already observed: that this passage touches upon the difference that exists between true believers and outsiders, or reprobates, with respect to their eternal state.

It is a mere quibble to say that when David here speaks of the path of life being shown to him, it means the prolongation of his natural life. Indeed, it is to form a very low estimate of the grace of God to speak of Him as a guide to His people in the path of life only for a very few years in this world.

In this case, they would differ in no way from the reprobate, who enjoy the light of the sun in common with them. Therefore, if David here magnifies and exalts the special grace of God—which He communicates only to His own children—then the showing of the way of life, of which he speaks, must undoubtedly be understood as extending to a blessed immortality. Indeed, only he who is so united to God that he lives in God, and cannot live without Him, truly knows the way of life.

David next adds that when God is reconciled to us, we have all things that are necessary for perfect happiness. The phrase the countenance of God may be understood either as our being seen by Him or as our seeing Him. I consider both these ideas to be included. His fatherly favor, which He displays by looking upon us with a serene countenance, precedes this joy and is its first cause. Yet this joy does not cheer us until we, on our part, see His favor shining upon us.

By this clause, David also intended to express distinctly to whom those pleasures belong, of which God has in His hand a full and overflowing abundance. Since there are with God pleasures sufficient to replenish and satisfy the whole world, why does it happen that a dismal and deadly darkness envelops the greater part of mankind? Is it not because God does not look upon all men equally with His friendly and fatherly countenance, nor opens the eyes of all men to seek the source of their joy in Him, and nowhere else?

Fulness of joy is contrasted with the evanescent allurements and pleasures of this transitory world. These worldly pleasures, after having diverted their miserable devotees for a time, eventually leave them unsatisfied, famished, and disappointed.

They may intoxicate and glut themselves with worldly pleasures to the greatest excess, but instead of being satisfied, they rather become weary of them through loathing. Besides, the pleasures of this world vanish like dreams.

David, therefore, testifies that true and solid joy, in which the minds of men may rest, will never be found anywhere else but in God. Consequently, only the faithful, who are contented with His grace alone, can be truly and perfectly happy.