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

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

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

Their 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 16

Song of Trust and Security in God

A Miktam of David.

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.(A)
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    I have no good apart from you.”[a]

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble ones
    in whom is all my delight.(B)

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;[b]
    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
    or take their names upon my lips.(C)

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
    you hold my lot.(D)
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    I have a goodly heritage.(E)

I bless the Lord, who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.(F)
I keep the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.(G)

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
    my body also rests secure.(H)
10 For you do not give me up to Sheol
    or let your faithful one see the Pit.(I)

11 You show me the path of life.
    In your presence there is fullness of joy;
    in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.(J)

Footnotes

  1. 16.2 Jerome Tg: Meaning of Heb uncertain
  2. 16.4 Cn: Meaning of Heb uncertain

A Prayer of Confidence[a]

16 Protect me, O God; I trust in you for safety.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    all the good things I have come from you.”

How excellent are the Lord's faithful people!
    My greatest pleasure is to be with them.

Those who rush to other gods
    bring many troubles on themselves.[b]
I will not take part in their sacrifices;
    I will not worship their gods.

You, Lord, are all I have,
    and you give me all I need;
    my future is in your hands.
How wonderful are your gifts to me;
    how good they are!

I praise the Lord, because he guides me,
    and in the night my conscience warns me.
I am always aware of the Lord's presence;
    he is near, and nothing can shake me.

And so I am thankful and glad,
    and I feel completely secure,
10 (A)because you protect me from the power of death.
I have served you faithfully,
    and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead.

11 (B)You will show me the path that leads to life;
    your presence fills me with joy
    and brings me pleasure forever.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 16:1 HEBREW TITLE: A psalm by David.
  2. Psalm 16:4 Probable text Those … themselves; Hebrew unclear.