Psalms 16

KJV · Chapter 16/150

1Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

2O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

3But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

4Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

5The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

6The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

7I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

8I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

David expresses complete trust in the Lord as his inheritance and portion, declaring that God will not abandon him to the grave and that in His presence there is eternal joy and pleasure.

Explanation

This psalm is called a 'Michtam' in its original title, a term of uncertain meaning, possibly linked to an inscription or a precious poem. The high point of the text is the statement that God 'will not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption' — words that the book of Acts (2:25-31) applies to the resurrection of Jesus, showing how the early Christians saw greater prophetic echoes in David's psalms. For today's reader, the psalm is an invitation to find identity and security not in possessions or territory, but in a relationship with God as the 'portion' of one's own life.

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