> [[psalm-15|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-17|Next →]] --- # Psalm 16 ## God the Supreme Good 1 A *miktam* of David. ^psalm-16-1 ### I Keep me safe, O God; in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the LORD, ^psalm-16-2 you are my Lord, you are my only good. 3 As for the holy ones who are in the land, ^psalm-16-3 they are noble, in whom is all my delight. 4 They multiply their sorrows ^psalm-16-4 who court other gods. Blood libations to them I will not pour out, nor will I take their names upon my lips. 5 LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, ^psalm-16-5 you have made my destiny secure. 6 Pleasant places were measured out for me; ^psalm-16-6 fair to me indeed is my inheritance. ### II 7 I bless the LORD who counsels me; ^psalm-16-7 even at night my heart exhorts me. 8 I keep the LORD always before me; ^psalm-16-8 with him at my right hand, I shall never be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, my soul rejoices; ^psalm-16-9 my body also dwells secure, 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, ^psalm-16-10 nor let your devout one see the pit. 11 You will show me the path to life, ^psalm-16-11 abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. \* (Psalm 16) In the first section, the psalmist rejects the futile worship of false gods (([[psalm-16|Ps 16]]:2] – [5]), preferring Israel’s God (([[psalm-16|Ps 16]]:1]), the giver of the land (([[psalm-16|Ps 16]]:6]). The second section reflects on the wise and life-giving presence of God (([[psalm-16|Ps 16]]:7] – [11]). \* (16:1) Miktam: a term occurring six times in Psalm superscriptions, always with “David.” Its meaning is unknown. \* (16:4) Take their names: to use the gods’ names in oaths and hence to affirm them as one’s own gods. \* (16:6) Pleasant places were measured out for me: the psalmist is pleased with the plot of land measured out to the family, which was to be passed on to succeeding generations (“my inheritance”). \* (16:10) Nor let your devout one see the pit: Hebrew *shahath* means here the pit, a synonym for Sheol, the underworld. The Greek translation derives the word here and elsewhere from the verb *shahath*, “to be corrupt.” On the basis of the Greek, ([[acts-of-the-apostles-02|Acts 2]]:25] – [32]; [13:35] – [37] apply the verse to Christ’s resurrection, “Nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.” a. (16:1) ([[psalm-25|Ps 25]]:20]. b. (16:5) ([[psalm-23|Ps 23]]:5]; [73:26]; [Nm 18:20]; [Lam 3:24]. c. (16:8) [Ps 73:23]; [121:5]; ([[acts-of-the-apostles-02|Acts 2]]:25] – [28]. d. (16:10) ([[psalm-28|Ps 28]]:1]; [30:4]; [49:16]; [86:13]; [Jon 2:7]; ([[acts-of-the-apostles-13|Acts 13]]:35]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-15|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-17|Next →]]