Both Peter and Paul refer to Psalm 16 while teaching about Jesus Christ.  At Pentecost, Peter begins preaching to the crowd and explains the message of Jesus and includes this passage as proof that Jesus was the faithful one who David speaks about.  In Antioch, Paul enters the synagogue and begins to teach about Jesus and quotes this verse as describing Jesus as the one whose body would never decay. 

 The theme of this Psalm is having confidence in God.  The concept is that because of our faith, we do not need to fear.  Scholars debate whether David was describing himself as the faithful one or if he was referring to someone to come as the Holy One.  Either way, Peter and Paul were clear in their understanding that faith in Jesus Christ gives us confidence in our relationship with God.  It was the same confidence that David experienced based on his commitment to God.  Therefore, we can rejoice, because we do not need to fear. 

 Do you trust God?  I believe the reason Peter quoted this verse in his Pentecost sermon was to encourage people to trust in God.  David trusted in God and in the same manner, placing your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior will protect you from death.  You can be confident and secure that God will protect you.  Once we have made a commitment to follow Jesus, what is our next step?  To be faithful!  It is through our commitment to God, that our faith allows us to overcome our fear and rejoice.

Read Acts 2: 14-38