You Will Not Abandon My Soul

A (A)Miktam[a] of David.

16 Preserve me, O God, for in you I (B)take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    (C)I have no good apart from you.”

As for (D)the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
    in whom is all my delight.[b]

The sorrows of those who run after[c] another god shall multiply;
    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
    or (E)take their names on my lips.

The Lord is (F)my chosen portion and my (G)cup;
    you hold my (H)lot.
(I)The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I bless the Lord who (J)gives me counsel;
    in (K)the night also my (L)heart instructs me.[d]
(M)I have (N)set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my (O)right hand, I shall not be (P)shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my (Q)whole being[e] rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to (R)Sheol,
    (S)or let your (T)holy one see (U)corruption.[f]

11 You make known to me (V)the path of life;
    in your presence there is (W)fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are (X)pleasures forevermore.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 16:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
  2. Psalm 16:3 Or To the saints in the land, the excellent in whom is all my delight, I say:
  3. Psalm 16:4 Or who acquire
  4. Psalm 16:7 Hebrew my kidneys instruct me
  5. Psalm 16:9 Hebrew my glory
  6. Psalm 16:10 Or see the pit

Psalm 16

A miktam[a] of David.

16 Protect me, God, because I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord.
    Apart from you, I have nothing good.”
Now as for the “holy ones” in the land,
    the “magnificent ones” that I was so happy about;
    let their suffering increase because
        they hurried after a different god.[b]
I won’t participate in their blood offerings;
    I won’t let their names cross my lips.
You, Lord, are my portion, my cup;
    you control my destiny.
The property lines have fallen beautifully for me;
    yes, I have a lovely home.

I will bless the Lord who advises me;
    even at night I am instructed
    in the depths of my mind.
I always put the Lord in front of me;
    I will not stumble because he is on my right side.
That’s why my heart celebrates and my mood is joyous;
    yes, my whole body will rest in safety
10     because you won’t abandon my life[c] to the grave;[d]
    you won’t let your faithful follower see the pit.

11 You teach me the way of life.
    In your presence is total celebration.
Beautiful things are always in your right hand.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 16:1 Perhaps inscription
  2. Psalm 16:4 Heb uncertain in 16:3-4; Heb lacks because and god in 16:4.
  3. Psalm 16:10 Or my soul
  4. Psalm 16:10 Heb Sheol