My Allotted Portion
The LORD is my
allotted portion and my cup,
the one who supports
my lot.
The lines have fallen
for me in pleasant places;
indeed, my
inheritance is beautiful to me.
Psalm 16:5-6
Ancient Israelites
had a tribal representative who cast lots for them in the assembly. Lots were
used to make decisions of all sorts, but especially land allocation. This
section of Psalm 16 is an extended metaphor of land inheritance, but what
strikes me is how clear the Psalmist makes it that the LORD is his real
inheritance. When I read these verses, I’m tempted to think about all the
blessings that God showers on me – my portion in terms of loving family,
faithful friends, material provision, and so on. But other parts of Scripture
affirm these good gifts that God showers on us; other psalms thank God for His
blessings and favour, and other verses enjoin us to be content with the ‘lot’
that God gives us. Psalm 16, though, started with the Psalmist exclaiming
boldly to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides Thee.” (16:2) And
in v.5, he declares that the LORD is his allotted portion and his cup. God
supports my lot because He is my lot
– my representative and my inheritance. The lines have fallen for me in
pleasant places and my inheritance is beautiful to me because it is the riches
of God’s glorious inheritance in the saints – that is, Himself. Lord, help my
heart to echo the Psalmist’s joyful contentment in having You as his glorious,
more-than-sufficient portion.
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