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Psalm 16

A prayer[a] of David.

Protect me, God, for the only safety I know is found in the moments I seek You.
I told You, Eternal One, “You are my Lord,
    for the only good I know in this world is found in You alone.”

The beauty of faith-filled people encompasses me.
    They are true, and my heart is thrilled beyond measure.
All the while the despair of many,
    who abandoned Your goodness for the empty promises of false gods, increases day by day.
I refuse to pour out blood offerings,
    to utter their names from my lips.

You, Eternal One, are my sustenance and my life-giving cup.
    In that cup, You hold my future and my eternal riches.
My home is surrounded in beauty;
    You have gifted me with abundance and a rich legacy.

I will bless the Eternal, whose wise teaching orchestrates my days
    and centers my mind at night.
He is ever present with me;
    at all times He goes before me.
I will not live in fear or abandon my calling
    because He stands at my right hand.

This is a good life—my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy,
    and my body is at rest.
    Who could want for more?
10 You will not abandon me to experience death and the grave
    or leave me to rot alone.

11 Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life.
    As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending,
    and I know true joy and contentment.

Footnotes

  1. 16:title Hebrew, miktam, meaning is uncertain.

The Hope of the Faithful, and the Messiah’s Victory

A (A)Michtam of David.

16 Preserve[a] me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
(B)My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
As for the saints who are on the earth,
“They are the excellent ones, in (C)whom is all my delight.”

Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;
Their drink offerings of (D)blood I will not offer,
(E)Nor take up their names on my lips.

O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You [b]maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.

I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My [c]heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
(F)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 rejoices;
My flesh also will [d]rest in hope.
10 (G)For You will not leave my soul in [e]Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to [f]see corruption.
11 You will show me the (H)path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 16:1 Watch over
  2. Psalm 16:5 Lit. uphold
  3. Psalm 16:7 Mind, lit. kidneys
  4. Psalm 16:9 Or dwell securely
  5. Psalm 16:10 The abode of the dead
  6. Psalm 16:10 undergo