The big picture
Psalms 16 opens in verse 1 with “Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 6 with “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.”, and closes in verse 11 with “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, hand, right, soul, always. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 11Psalms 16:1-6
1–6: Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
Psalms 16:1–6 opens with “Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.” and reaches “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 16 develops its own movement around LORD, hand, right, soul, always, with particular weight carried by LORD, blood, delight.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.” Naming Preserve keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 16:1-6
King James Version1Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
2O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD , Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;
3But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
4Their 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.
5The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
6The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
Psalms 16:7-11
7–11: I will bless the LORD , who hath given me counsel: my reins also…
Psalms 16:7–11 opens with “I will bless the LORD , who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night…” and reaches “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 16 develops its own movement around LORD, hand, right, soul, always, with particular weight carried by hand, LORD, right.
Context that brings the passage to life
“I will bless the LORD , who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.
Psalms 16:7-11
King James Version7I will bless the LORD , who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
8I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
10For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 16:1 begins with “Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 16:3 forms a natural hinge: “But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.”
The final note
Psalms 16:11 leaves the reader with “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, hand, right, soul, always, bless help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Whose perspective receives unexpected attention?
Hagar's. The messenger finds her, names her and speaks about her future.
What does Ishmael's name commemorate?
God has heard her affliction, according to verse 11.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.