Psalms 16–11
Psalm 16:1-11
Psa.16.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מכתם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שמרני: VERB,piel,imp,2,ms
- אל: NEG
- כי: CONJ
- חסיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Ps.31:1 (verbal): Uses the same language of taking refuge in Yahweh; both open petitions asking God to preserve/save the psalmist.
- Ps.7:1 (verbal): Directly parallels the plea "O LORD my God, in you I take refuge/seek shelter," echoing the trust-based petition for preservation.
- Ps.62:8 (thematic): Calls for trust in God as refuge at all times, developing the theme of confidence and reliance found in Ps 16:1.
- Ps.118:8 (thematic): Contrasts trust in God with trust in humans, reinforcing the central idea of placing confidence in Yahweh alone (as in Ps 16:1).
- Prov.3:5 (thematic): Commands wholehearted trust in the LORD rather than human understanding, reflecting the same trust-oriented posture voiced in Ps 16:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- A michtam of David. Keep me, O God; for I have taken refuge in you.
- A miktam of David. Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
Psa.16.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אמרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- טובתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1s
- בל: PART
- עליך: PREP+2ms
Parallels
- Psalm 73:25 (verbal): Expresses the same exclusive devotion: 'Whom have I in heaven but you? ... nothing on earth I desire besides you,' paralleling 'You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good.'
- James 1:17 (thematic): Affirms that every good gift comes from God, echoing the Psalm's claim that no true good exists apart from the Lord.
- Jeremiah 17:7 (thematic): Blessing on trusting in the LORD—portrays God as the believer's sole source of well‑being, matching the Psalm's reliance on God as 'my good.'
- Matthew 6:33 (thematic): Commands seeking God's kingdom first so needs will be supplied, reflecting the Psalmic conviction that God alone is the ultimate good and priority.
Alternative generated candidates
- I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."
- You say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good.”
Psa.16.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לקדושים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- ואדירי: CONJ+ADJ,m,pl,abs
- כל: DET
- חפצי: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Acts 2:25-28 (quotation): Peter cites Psalm 16 (vv.8–11) in his Pentecost sermon; shows early Christian use of this psalm about the faithful and God’s care for the righteous.
- Acts 13:35 (quotation): Paul quotes Psalm 16:10 in Antioch (arguing for resurrection); ties the psalm’s witness about ‘the holy ones’ and God’s vindication to messianic hope.
- Proverbs 8:31 (verbal): Wisdom says ‘my delights were with the sons of men,’ echoing the language of delight in human/holy company found in Ps 16:3.
- Psalm 97:10 (thematic): Both verses focus on God's relationship to the godly/saints on earth — their protection and God’s special regard for the righteous.
- Daniel 7:18 (allusion): Speaks of ‘the saints of the Most High’ who receive the kingdom — a related concept of the holy ones on earth and their place before God, paralleling Ps 16:3’s ‘saints... in the earth.’
Alternative generated candidates
- As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble; all my delight is in them.
- To the holy ones in the land are the noble ones—my delight is all with them.
Psa.16.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ירבו: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,pl
- עצבותם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3mp
- אחר: PREP
- מהרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בל: PART
- אסיך: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- נסכיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- מדם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובל: CONJ+PART
- אשא: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שמותם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- על: PREP
- שפתי: NOUN,f,sg,cons
Parallels
- Exodus 23:13 (verbal): God commands that the names of other gods not be mentioned or heard from your lips—closely parallels Psalm 16:4's declaration 'nor will I take their names on my lips.'
- Isaiah 65:11 (thematic): Condemns those who 'prepare a table for Gad' and 'fill bowls of mixed wine for Meni' (drink-offerings to other deities), echoing Psalm 16:4's rejection of pouring out libations to foreign gods.
- Leviticus 17:10-12 (thematic): Prohibits eating or profaning blood because 'the life of the flesh is in the blood,' which parallels Psalm 16:4's refusal to offer 'drink-offerings of blood' to other gods.
- Numbers 25:1-3 (thematic): Narrates Israel's joining themselves to Baal-peor and partaking in sacrifices to other gods—an instance of the idolatrous practice whose seekers 'will have their sorrows multiplied' in Psalm 16:4.
- Deuteronomy 12:29-31 (allusion): Warns Israel not to follow or imitate Canaanite abominations (including pagan sacrificial practices), reflecting Psalm 16:4's stance against participating in other gods' offerings or invoking their names.
Alternative generated candidates
- May their sorrows multiply—those who run after other gods. I will not pour out their drink-offerings of blood, nor will I take their names upon my lips.
- Their sorrows will multiply who run after other gods; I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood, nor will I take their names upon my lips.
Psa.16.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מנת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- חלקי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- וכוסי: NOUN,f,sg,suf1
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- תומיך: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- גורלי: NOUN,m,sg,suf1
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 32:9 (verbal): Uses the same idea of God assigning a 'portion'/'allotted heritage' to his people—shared vocabulary of מְנָה/portion and divine allotment.
- Lamentations 3:24 (verbal): Directly declares 'The LORD is my portion,' echoing Psalm 16:5's assertion that YHWH is the psalmist's portion.
- Psalm 73:26 (verbal): Affirms God as the psalmist's 'portion' (נחלה), a parallel theological claim about God as one's inheritance and refuge.
- Psalm 23:5 (thematic): Employs 'cup' imagery (my cup overflows) to depict God's provision and blessing, paralleling Psalm 16:5's 'my cup.'
- Proverbs 16:33 (thematic): Speaks of the lot being cast but its outcome determined by the LORD—parallels Psalm 16:5's 'you hold my lot' and the theme of divine control over one's destiny.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD is my portion and my cup; you secure my lot.
- The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; you hold my lot.
Psa.16.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- חבלים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נפלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בנעמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אף: ADV
- נחלת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- שפרה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Ps.16.5 (verbal): Immediate context: declares the LORD as the psalmist's portion and cup—same language of 'portion' and settled inheritance (verbal and thematic continuation).
- Deut.32.9 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD’s portion/inheritance (Israel) — echoes the motif of divine allotment and inheritance (נחלה/portion).
- Lam.3.24 (verbal): 'The LORD is my portion,' a direct verbal/thematic parallel affirming trust in the LORD as one's allotted good.
- Ps.73.26 (thematic): Declares God as the psalmist’s portion/strength forever, reflecting the same assurance of a secure, blessed inheritance in God.
- Ps.119.57 (verbal): 'The LORD is my portion'—uses the same phrase to express personal possession of God as heritage and guiding reality.
Alternative generated candidates
- The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, a fair inheritance is mine.
- The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
Psa.16.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אברך: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יעצני: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אף: ADV
- לילות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יסרוני: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כליותי: NOUN,f,pl,poss1
Parallels
- Psalm 63:6 (verbal): Both verses speak of meditation in the 'night watches'—remembering and communing with God at night, linking nocturnal reflection with divine counsel.
- Psalm 77:6–7 (thematic): The psalmist 'communes with his own heart' in the night, closely paralleling Ps 16:7's idea that the inner self (reins/heart) provides instruction during the night.
- Psalm 119:148 (verbal): Uses the image of watching through the night to meditate on God's word, echoing Ps 16:7's association of night-watching with inward instruction and devotion.
- Proverbs 20:27 (thematic): Portrays the human inner life (spirit/lamp) as the seat of God's searching or guidance, resonating with Ps 16:7's motif of the inward parts ('reins') giving counsel.
- Psalm 7:9 (verbal): Both verses employ the bodily image of 'reins' (kidneys) as the seat of inner life; Ps 7:9 focuses on God testing hearts and reins, while Ps 16:7 depicts the reins as issuing instruction to the speaker.
Alternative generated candidates
- I bless the LORD who counsels me; even at night my inner being instructs me.
- I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel; even at night my inmost being instructs me.
Psa.16.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שויתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לנגדי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUF,1,com,sg
- תמיד: ADV
- כי: CONJ
- מימיני: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUF,1,com,sg
- בל: PART
- אמוט: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- Acts 2:25-28 (quotation): Peter quotes Psalm 16:8-11 explicitly to argue David's words about keeping the LORD before him and not being abandoned anticipate the resurrection — direct citation of the verse's language and theme.
- Acts 13:35-37 (quotation): Paul (in Pisidian Antioch) cites Psalm 16:8-11 to show David foresaw the Lord's vindication and not remaining in Hades; another direct New Testament quotation of the psalm's lines.
- Psalm 118:6-7 (verbal): Uses very similar wording and theme — 'The LORD is at my right hand; I shall not be moved' (confidence in God's presence and protection parallels Ps 16:8).
- Psalm 73:23-24 (thematic): Speaks of God's continual presence and holding by the right hand ('I am continually with you... you hold my right hand'), echoing Ps 16:8's reliance on God's nearness and sustaining right hand.
- Psalm 25:15 (thematic): 'My eyes are ever toward the LORD' parallels the vow to 'set the LORD always before me' — both express continual orientation to God's presence as the basis for confidence.
Alternative generated candidates
- I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken.
- I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psa.16.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- שמח: ADJ,m,sg
- לבי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- ויגל: VERB,qal,wayyiq,3,m,sg
- כבודי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:1cs
- אף: ADV
- בשרי: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- ישכן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לבטח: ADV
Parallels
- Acts 2:26-28 (quotation): Peter quotes Psalm 16:9–11 nearly verbatim (’Therefore my heart is glad… my body also will rest in hope’) to speak of Christ’s vindication and resurrection.
- Acts 13:35-37 (quotation): Paul cites Psalm 16 in his sermon, appealing to the same confidence in God (and the promise of not being abandoned) to argue for Jesus’ resurrection—an explicit use of the Psalm’s language and assurance.
- Psalm 4:7 (thematic): ’You have put gladness in my heart’ echoes the theme of inner joy and rejoicing found in Psalm 16:9—divine-given gladness as a result of God’s favor.
- Psalm 23:1-3 (thematic): The imagery of rest, security, and refreshment (’He restores my soul… He leads me…’) parallels Psalm 16:9’s note of glad heart and the body dwelling/resting in safety and hope.
- Isaiah 12:2-3 (thematic): Isaiah’s confidence and resultant joy (’Surely God is my salvation… with joy you will draw water’) parallels the Psalm’s link between trust in God and rejoicing/secure hope.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
- Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell secure.
Psa.16.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- תעזב: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- לשאול: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- לא: PART_NEG
- תתן: VERB,qal,imprf,2,_,sg
- חסידך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- לראות: VERB,qal,inf
- שחת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Acts 2:27 (quotation): Peter directly quotes Ps 16:10 in his Pentecost sermon, applying 'you will not abandon my soul to Hades' to Jesus' resurrection and vindication.
- Acts 13:35-37 (quotation): Paul cites Ps 16:10 in his sermon at Antioch to argue that David foresaw the Messiah's not seeing corruption and therefore Jesus' resurrection.
- Psalm 49:15 (thematic): Speaks of God redeeming the soul from Sheol—shares the theme of deliverance from death and divine preservation found in Ps 16:10.
- Jonah 2:2 (thematic): Jonah's cry from 'the belly of Sheol' and God's deliverance echoes the motif of being rescued from Sheol that underlies Ps 16:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will you allow your faithful one to see decay.
- For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
Psa.16.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- תודיעני: VERB,hiphil,imperfect,2,m,sg
- ארח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חיים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- שבע: NUM,card
- שמחות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- פניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- נעמות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בימינך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,pronominal,2,m,sg
- נצח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- John 14:6 (thematic): Jesus' claim 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life' echoes Psalm 16:11's promise to show 'the path of life'—both link divine revelation with access to life.
- John 10:10 (thematic): Jesus' offer that he came so people 'may have life and have it abundantly' parallels the psalm's 'path of life' and 'fullness of joy' as expressions of God's life-giving blessing.
- Psalm 21:6 (Heb. 21:6) (verbal): Contains very similar language—God making the king 'glad with the joy of your presence'—directly paralleling Ps 16:11's 'in your presence is fullness of joy.'
- Psalm 36:8 (verbal): Speaks of guests 'feasting on the abundance of your house' and drinking 'from the river of your delights,' resonating with Ps 16:11's 'at your right hand are pleasures' imagery.
- Psalm 17:15 (structural): Promises to 'behold your face' and be 'satisfied'—a parallel structure linking divine presence and resulting joy/satisfaction as in Ps 16:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is the fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
- You will make known to me the path of life—fullness of joy is in your presence; pleasures are at your right hand forevermore.
A michtam of David. Preserve me, O God, for in you I have taken refuge.
I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good."
As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble; all my delight is in them.
Their sorrows increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood, nor take their names upon my lips.
The LORD is my portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely a fair inheritance is mine.
I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel; even in the nights my inner being instructs me.
I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will you allow your holy one to see decay.
You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.