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Easter Season · Third Sunday of Easter · Year A

Psalm 16:1-2a+5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 (11a)

My Body Also Rests Secure

April 19, 2026

The Resurrection, Cecco del Caravaggio
The Resurrection, Cecco del Caravaggio, c. 1619-1620The Art Institute of Chicago
Christ going up out of the top of the picture with the banner, and underneath him the guard thrown flat among their own helmets and shields, one still asleep with his face in his arm.For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit. You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy.Cecco del CaravaggioA follower of Caravaggio known only by his first name, who painted the soldiers’ armour and the dropped lantern as carefully as the risen body.The Art Institute of ChicagoThe Art Institute of Chicago.The Art Institute of Chicago
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 24:13-35Lk 24:13-35
Second Reading1 Pet. 1:17-211 Pt 1:17-21
First ReadingActs 2:14, 22-33
Responsorial PsalmPs. 16:1-2a+5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 (11a)Ps 16:1-2a+5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 (11a)

Overview & Insights

“I keep the LORD always before me.” (Psalm 16:8)

Psalm 16 carries the heading miktam, a term of uncertain meaning that stands over only six psalms. Its language is that of a worshipper who has chosen a side: the Lord is portion and cup (v. 5), the counsel that instructs by night is his, and the body itself rests secure (v. 9). The line that made this psalm central to early Christian preaching is verse 10, and its force depends on translation. The Hebrew asks not to be abandoned to Sheol, and its second noun, shahat, means pit, while the Greek version renders that word as corruption, and it is the Greek that Peter and Paul quote at Acts 2:27 and 13:35. The psalm in itself claims something less specific and more intimate, a communion with God that death is simply assumed not to interrupt. The antiphon of the day takes its words from verse 11.

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Take it further: Psalm 16:1-2a+5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 (11a)

Commentary

Commentary on Psalm 16Commentary on Ps 16 Working Preacher

Lutheran commentary on the psalm's testimony to refuge and resurrection hope.

Psalm 16 CommentaryPs 16 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on Psalm 16's confidence in God's presence.

Background & Word Study

Psalms 16Ps 16 Sefaria

Hebrew text and Jewish commentary tradition on Psalm 16.

Psalm 16 InterlinearPs 16 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew interlinear text for word-level study of the psalm.

The Church Fathers

Psalms 16Ps 16 Catena Bible

Patristic commentary on Psalm 16.

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