Seder 51: Psalm 16---A Prophecy of Resurrection

 Psalm 16 is one of six psalms labeled a "miktam".  The others are Psalms 56-60.  All six are associated with David.  We do not know the meaning of the word "miktam".  It may be a musical term.  

The midrash on Psalm 16 contains three suggestions about the possible meaning of miktam:

• It is a reference to David, a combination of Hebrew words meaning "meek" and "undefiled."
• It is derived from the word ketem, which means "fine gold."
• It is a reference to David confessing his sins by saying, "Stained with sin (mekutam) am I."  (David says in v 2, "I have no good apart from you.")

In Psalm 16 David rejoices in the "beautiful inheritance" that God has granted him (v 6), apparently thinking in particular of God's promise that his descendants would rule forever (2 Sam 7:12-16; Acts 2:30).  Because God is so good, he is confident that God will care for him always, even beyond death (vv 8-11).  

Early Christians recognized in verse 10 a reference to the resurrection of the Messiah, the "holy one" mentioned in verse 10:

"For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption."

The word for "holy one" in verse 10, hasid, is a messianic title.  It is also used in Ps 89:19-21, where it is related to other messianic designations.  

The mention of God's "right hand" in Ps 16:8,11 also links Ps 16 to Ps 110, another important Messianic reference for early Christians.  

The apostles saw verse 10 as a reference to the fact that Jesus would not "stay dead" long enough for his body to "see corruption."  They must have felt that this was a particularly persuasive messianic prophecy, since both Peter and Paul used it in sermons (Acts 2:24-31; 13:26-37).