John Calvin Commentary Psalms 16:9

"Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; My flesh also shall dwell in safety." — Psalms 16:9 (ASV)

Therefore my heart is glad. In this verse, the Psalmist commends the inestimable fruit of faith, which Scripture mentions everywhere. Because it places us under God's protection, faith enables us not only to live in the enjoyment of mental tranquility but, what is more, to live joyful and cheerful. The principal, essential part of a happy life, as we know, is to possess tranquility of conscience and mind; on the contrary, there is no greater misery than to be tossed amid a multitude of cares and fears.

But the ungodly, however much intoxicated with the spirit of thoughtlessness or stupidity, never experience true joy or serene mental peace. Instead, they feel terrible agitations within, which often come upon them and trouble them, so much that they are compelled to awake from their lethargy. In short, calmly rejoicing is the privilege of no one except the person who has learned to place his confidence in God alone and to commit his life and safety to His protection.

When, therefore, surrounded by innumerable troubles on all sides, let us be persuaded that the only remedy is to direct our eyes toward God. If we do this, faith will not only calm our minds but also fill them with abundant joy. David, however, not only affirms that he is glad inwardly; he also makes his tongue, indeed, even his flesh, sharers of this joy.

And not without cause, for true believers not only have this spiritual joy secretly in their hearts but also express it with their tongue, since they glory in God as the One who protects them and secures their salvation. The word כבוד, kabod, properly signifies glory and excellence.

I have, however, no doubt that it is used here for the tongue, as it is in Genesis 49:6; because otherwise, the division of the person into three parts, which is obviously made in this verse, is not as clear and distinct. Furthermore, although the body is not free from inconveniences and troubles, yet as God defends and maintains not only our souls but also our bodies, David does not speak without basis when he represents the blessing of dwelling in safety as extending to his flesh as well as his soul.