“As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.” (Psalm 16:3–4, ESV)
David is, in essence, dividing the land into two classes: the saints, or Israelites whose God is YHWH, and those who run after other gods. God had told the Israelites, “and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”” (Exodus 19:6, ESV). In the New Testament, the saints are more specifically identified as the followers of Jesus, those true Israelites who are “sanctified in Christ,” and “accepted in the Beloved.” David’s delight is in the congregation of these holy ones. are the excellent ones
He indicates that he holds them in high esteem, they are the excellent ones because he and they are of one mind. To David, the saints are the true nobility of mankind, “not by virtue of accident of birth but as a result of free allegiance to God,” asserts H.C. Leupold.
We often hear “Christians” claim they don’t need to go to church to go to heaven. In some cases, that scenario is certainly possible. But that is not the point. The point is that those who are actually saints themselves find great delight in the fellowship of other believers. Those who find more delight in the fellowship of those who run after other gods should make their calling and election sure. David acknowledges that their sorrows will only multiply, and that he will not participate in their worship.