The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. (Psalm 16:5).

Pleasant or bitter experiences of life fill our cup. In Psalm 23, David’s “cup overflows” with “goodness and mercy” (Ps 23:5b-6a). James and John expressed their misguided desire to “drink the cup” that Jesus was about to drink, referring to His suffering (Matt 20:22, Mark 10:39). Jesus Himself prayed three times for the cup to “pass from Me,” referring to His coming passion and death on the cross.

The wicked will have their cup filled with “fire and brimstone and burning wind” (Ps 11:6); they will “drink down its dregs,” that is, from the cup in the hand of the Lord (Ps 75:8). But of all the possible life experiences that can fill the cup of those who are faithful followers of the Lord, the greatest is our salvation:

What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD. (Ps 116:12–13).

So, in the most general way, the psalm writer, David, rejoices that “The LORD is … my cup.” Earlier he said, “You are my LORD; I have no good besides You.” There is nothing better with which to fill your life than God Himself. Why? Because the LORD has given you a pleasant heritage (vs. 6, 2), the Lord instructs you, (vs. 7), 3) God’s powerful presence is always close by (vs. 8), you have a hope beyond the grave (vs. 10), you have been given the path of life (vs. 11a) and, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever” (vs. 11b).

Today life is filled with many superficial things that can populate our hearts and minds with idle and worthless thoughts. People are busier than ever with entertainment, sports, hobbies, money and vacations. Success is too often measured by how many things one has acquired. Many Christians fill their cup with these things to offset the sorrow and difficulty of life that seems to overflow their cup.

The psalm writer chose to focus on the Lord, to let the Lord fill his cup with Himself. In saying “the LORD is my cup,” David defines his life experiences by what God is doing in and through him. There is little room for any other contents when life is filled with the Lord.

Lord, I want to fill my cup of life experiences with You, and not waste my life on superficial or worthless things.”