5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
After denouncing those who seek after other gods in the previous verse, David declares that “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup”. Unlike those who wander away from the LORD, seeking the idols of this world, his heart is joyfully settled in the LORD. This is the reason why he separates himself from the idolatrous pursuits of other men.
By calling God “the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup”, David declares that he finds his total satisfaction and delight in the LORD alone. He considers none and nothing else to be more desirable than his God. The LORD is the supreme good that his soul has found. The LORD is his true treasure.
When God gave inheritance to the Israelites, He said to Aaron, “Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel” (Numbers 18:20). David also gladly accepts the LORD as his portion of inheritance; in so doing, he needs no other.
David also refers to the LORD as his “cup”. The word “cup” refers to that which is assigned to him to drink or experience. The LORD is not only his wonderful possession, but also his enjoyment and nourishment. Nothing gives him satisfaction and delight, assurance and strength in life as much as the LORD Himself.
The LORD has not only given Himself to be David’s supreme joy and satisfaction, but has also secured it for him. So David said, “thou maintainest my lot.” No one can speak assuredly of anything as his true inheritance if he is sure to lose it. Furthermore, no man can be absolutely confident that he can secure all his possessions perpetually. However, the LORD will make sure that He will always be the lot of His servants.
All those who put their complete trust in the LORD can assuredly say, “Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living” (Psalm 142:5). If we would rest in the knowledge that the LORD shall remain as our perpetual inheritance and cup, it would hush our souls amidst life’s challenges and trials. The LORD is our inexhaustible portion of blessing. We shall never reach the limit of the fullness of God. He is our secured lot.