Psalm 16

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:2

(2) Thou hast said.—The text of this passage is exceedingly corrupt. This appears (1) from the actual existence of various readings, (2) by the variations in the ancient versions, both from the Hebrew and each other. It will be best to take Psalms 16:2-3 together first. The consensus of the ancient versions in favour of the first person, “I said,” instead of “thou hast said” (the italicised words O my soul, are a mere gloss from the Chaldee), gives for Psalms 16:2 the plain and intelligible... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:4

(4) Their sorrows.—This verse offers also great variation in the ancient versions. The literal text runs Their sorrows [or, idols] (fem.) are multiplied (masc); another they hasten [or, change]. I will not pour out their libations from blood, and will not take their names upon my lips, which, with one or two slight changes in the punctuation, becomes—“They shall multiply their sorrowsWho change to another god:I will not pour out their bloody libations,Nor take their names on my lips.”At the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:5

(5) The portion.—There is allusion here to the Levitical portion (Numbers 18:20): “I am thy portion and thine inheritance.” The poet, whom we must imagine exiled from his actual inheritance in Canaan, consoles, and more than consoles himself, with the sublime thought that this “better part” could not be taken away from him. Perowne quotes Savonarola’s fine saying, “What must not he possess who possesses the possessor of all!” and St. Paul’s, “All things are yours; for ye are Christ’s, and... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:6

(6) The lines are fallen unto me.—The allusion is to the “measuring cords” by which allotments of land were measured, and they are said to “fall” possibly because after the measurement the portions were distributed by “lot” (Joshua 17:5; Micah 2:5). read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:7

(7) Given me counsel . . .—i.e., led me to a right and happy choice of the way of life.My reins—i.e., my heart.Instruct me.—Better, warn me. Conscience echoes the voice of God. The Hebrew word, from a root meaning bind, includes the sense of obligation. Once heard, the Divine monition becomes a law to the good man, and his own heart warns him of the slightest danger of deviation from it. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:8

(8) At my right hand.—Comp. Psalms 109:31; Psalms 110:5; Psalms 121:5. The image seems to be a military one: the shield of the right-hand comrade is a protection to the man beside him. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:9

(9) Glory.—Heb., khabôd; but probably the poet wrote khabed, i.e., liver, or (comp. “reins” above, and the common use of the word “bowels”) heart. The LXX. paraphrase tongue. The passage was so quoted in Acts 2:25. (Comp. Psalms 57:8; Psalms 108:1.) “With the best member that I have” (Prayer Book).Shall rest in hope.—This follows the Vulg. The LXX. also have “shall tabernacle in hope.” The true rendering, however, is shall rest in security. In “heart, soul, flesh,” the poet comprises the whole... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:10

(10) Leave.—Rather, commit, or give up.In hell.—Better, to the unseen world (Sheôl), as in Psalms 6:5, where see Note.Holy One.—Better, thy chosen, or favoured, or beloved One. Heb., chasîd, which, starting from the idea of one standing in a state of covenant favour with Jehovah, gathers naturally, to this passive sense, an active one of living conformably to such a state; “gracious” as well as “graced,” “blessing” as well as “blessed;” and so generally as in Authorised Version, “saint,” “holy”... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:11

(11) There are.—The italics in the Authorised Version spoil the triplet:—“Thou wilt show me the path of life,In thy presence fulness and joy,At thy right hand pleasures for evermore.”It is another image for the same thought which dominates the psalm—the thought of the happiness of being with God. The fair heritage, the serene happiness, the enduring pleasure always to be found at God’s right hand, are all different modes of expressing the same sense of complete satisfaction and peace given by a... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 16:1-11

Assurance in God Psalms 16:0 The Psalmist lived in a period when belief in the reality of many gods was still strong, and when a man who would follow the one true God had to prefer to do so against the attractions of other deities, and against the convictions of a great number of his fellow-countrymen that these deities were living and powerful. I. It is remarkable how, when a man really turns to God, he turns to God's people as well, and how he includes them in the loyalty and in the devotion... read more

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:4

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:5

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:6

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:7

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:8

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:9

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:10

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 16:11

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 16:1-11

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands