Psalms 16:5

Psalms 16:5

Verse 5 declares: “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.” In the ancient Near East, land and share at the table symbolized inheritance, identity, and provision. Here, the psalmist asserts that God Himself is the ultimate portion—the only secure, lasting inheritance and the source of daily sustenance. “Cup” can symbolize life’s lot or destiny, which God governs. The verse expresses confident trust that God sustains and allocates life’s portion according to His wisdom. This perspective shifts ownership away from material wealth toward a relationship with the Lord as the true provider and protector.

This verse anchors the believer’s identity in God’s provision. It reflects a theocentric worldview in which wealth, status, and security are understood through the lens of God’s sovereignty. It reminds us that what truly satisfies is found in relationship with God rather than in possessions. The psalm foregrounds God as the exclusive source of life’s meaning—an attitude later echoed in the New Testament (bearing witness to God’s supremacy and Christ’s sufficiency).

Practical steps:

- Practice contentment: evaluate desires, recognizing God as the ultimate source of provision.

- Reassess budgeting and spending: ensure your “cup” reflects dependence on God, not self-sufficiency.

- Thank God for daily provisions and seek His guidance in decisions about future inheritance—whether material or relational.

Cross-References: Psalm 23:1; Philippians 4:19; Lamentations 3:24; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; Matthew 6:25-33