A scripture reflection on Psalm 16:2
Psalm 16:2: One verse, fourteen words but an infinite amount for us to chew and reflect on. How many of us would be so bold as the psalmist here to claim God as our only good? The verse would be a lot easier to read if the author just said “Lord, you are good” or even “Lord, you are a good”. But he didn’t; he said “only good”. So what does this mean for us? Does this verse mean that things in this world aren’t good? Are puppies and fresh-baked cookies, rainbows and shooting stars, friends and family bad?
Just in case there is any doubt, let me just say fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies are great! Rainbows, family and friends aren’t bad either. But they aren’t God. The danger today is that it is far too easy for a good to become a god. We find worth by how many followers one has on twitter and instagram. We find worth based on how new and fast and sleek our smart phone is. And it is not that these things are bad in and of themselves but they are not God. We seek comfort and consolation in things instead of the Divine. Scripture tells us (Ex 20:5) that our God is a jealous God. He is not interested in being our one of many but, instead, our one and only. James reminds us that “all good giving and every perfect gift* is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (Jas 1:17). As we go through our day today let us prayer and sure that God is truly our only good.
