Psalm 16

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16

A.M. 2944. B.C. 1060. In this Psalm, upon whatever occasion, or in whatever distress David might compose it, we are taught by the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, Acts 2:25 ; Acts 13:35 , to consider him as speaking, at least in the latter part of it, in the person of Christ. Indeed the former part also, consisting of strong expressions of devotion, may be interpreted of Christ, though not so conveniently as of David; but certainly the latter part, which speaks with such confidence of a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:1

Psalms 16:1. Preserve me, O God Hebrew שׁמרני , shamereeni, keep, support, guard, or defend me These words are evidently spoken by one in trouble and distress, or in danger, either from his enemies or in some other way. As David was frequently in such circumstances, they were probably primarily spoken by him in his own person, as a member of Christ, and they are words which often suit the case of any believer, who has frequently need to pray for support under troubles and distresses, to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:2-3

Psalms 16:2-3. O my soul, thou hast said, &c. The words, O my soul, not being in the original, Houbigant translates the clause, I have said unto the Lord I have oftentimes avowed and professed it, and still persist so to do. Thou art my Lord By creation, preservation, and on various other accounts: the king, to whom I am subject, the master whom I serve, the father whom I obey, the husband and portion whom I love, and to whom I cleave. My goodness extendeth not to thee Whatever... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:4

Psalms 16:4. Their sorrows, &c. Having showed his great respect and affection to the saints and servants of the true God, he now declares what an abhorrence he had for those that worshipped idols, the increase of whose sorrows he foretels, that a consideration thereof might be a means of awakening and converting them to the Lord. That hasten after another God Or, that present to, or endow, (as the verb מהר , mahar, signifies, Exodus 22:16,) another God, namely, with oblations,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:5

Psalms 16:5. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance Hebrew, חלקי , chelki, of my division, that is, of that portion which God hath mercifully divided, or distributed to me, and which, by his grace, I have chosen for myself. I envy not the vast riches and glory of idolaters, but do heartily rejoice in God as my portion, and desire no better nor any other felicity. God, who hath suffered other nations to walk in their own idolatrous ways, hath granted this favour to me, that I should... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:6

Psalms 16:6. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places In a sweet land, flowing with milk and honey, and, above all, blessed with the presence and knowledge of the true God. The allusion is the same as it was in the preceding verse, lines signifying the lot or tract of land which it was anciently the custom to divide by lines. Those have reason to speak in this language who have God for their portion, for they have a worthy portion, a goodly heritage. What can they have better? What... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:7

Psalms 16:7. I will bless the Lord who hath given me counsel The Hebrew, יעצני , jegnatzani, may be rendered, hath consulted for me, that is, by his wise and gracious counsel hath provided so good a heritage for me: or, who hath inspired that counsel and wisdom into me by which I have chosen him for my portion and happiness, and am so fully satisfied with him. So ignorant and foolish are we, that, if we be left to ourselves, our hearts will follow our eyes, and we shall choose our own... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:8

Psalms 16:8. I have set the Lord always before me I have always presented him to my mind as my witness and judge, as my patron and protector, in the discharge of my office, and in all my actions. Hitherto David seems to have spoken chiefly in his own person, and with special regard to himself, but now he appears to be transported by the Spirit of prophecy, to be carried above himself, and to have an eye to the man Christ Jesus only, who is, and was, the end of the law, and the great subject... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:9

Psalms 16:9. Therefore Upon this ground and confidence; my heart is glad I feel, not only a perfect satisfaction, but joy and triumph in my heart. And my glory My tongue, as St. Peter explains it, Acts 2:26. For the Hebrews give the tongue the name of glory, Psalms 30:12; Psalms 57:8; Psalms 108:1, because it was bestowed upon us that we might thereby glorify God and because it is our glory, as being the instrument of expressing our thoughts by words, a privilege not vouchsafed to any... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:10

Psalms 16:10. Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell Hebrew, לשׁאול , lesheol, rendered, εις αδην , by the LXX., and εις αδου , in hades, Acts 2:27, which word generally means the invisible world, or the state of separate spirits; not a place of torment, which the word αδης , hades, seldom means, and into which Christ’s soul certainly did not go after it left the body, but into paradise, Luke 23:43-46. See Bishop Pearson on the Creed, and Revelation 20:14, where death and hell (in the... read more

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:2-3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:7

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:9

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 16:10

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