Good Company

Read Psalms 13:1–16:11

1. Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.
2. I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.”
3. The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them! . . .
5. Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.
6. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance!
7. I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.
8. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
9. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.
10. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
11. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:1-3, 5-11

With what kind of people do you hang out? How would you describe your friends? Are they a good influence on you? Or do you do things when you’re with them that make you feel uncomfortable?

Psalm 16 shows us the people with whom we should keep company—and it’s not the popular or influential crowd. In this psalm we see that David seeks out a certain kind of person—the kind we should get to know.

In other psalms, we find help with several dilemmas: what to do when God doesn’t answer prayers of distress (Psalm 13); how to respond when people deny that God exists (Psalm 14); and how to live a life that no one can fault (Psalm 15).

Some people try to impress their friends by name-dropping. If they have met a famous person, for example, they may casually mention this fact to others to enhance their status. Others spend time with certain people to bolster their image. But truly noble people don’t do that. They don’t try to become famous or gain recognition; they strive to live as God desires.

Beware of temptations to seek someone’s company solely to enhance your status. And remember that although hanging out with the wrong crowd can be fun at first, if you desire to please God, the fun you have will soon turn to spiritual conflict. Instead, like David, seek the company of those who can build you up spiritually—those who are committed to God and have the right perspective on life (Psalm 16:3).