Psalm 16 Study Notes

Ps 16 title Miktam occurs in the titles of six psalms (16; 56-60). Its meaning is difficult to determine. The Hebrew root from which the form is derived may mean “cover,” “secret,” or “inscribe.” It is most likely a musical term, though its precise relationship with music is uncertain.

16:1 The word protect translates shamar, which can mean to “keep watch over” as a shepherd. God used it in his promise to Jacob at Bethel: “Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Gn 28:15).

16:2 The phrase nothing good besides you is literally “my good (is) not above/beyond you” and is difficult in Hebrew. It is most likely related to a similar expression in 73:25 that carries the idea of finding nothing desirable on earth apart from the Lord.

16:3 Holy people (lit “holy ones”) and noble ones are difficult to identify. Based on a common meaning of “holy ones” as heavenly beings, some have suggested angels. Another suggestion is that these are leaders or rulers because of the designation “noble ones.” The phrase in the land seems to argue for their identity as mortals. Most likely “holy” and “noble” are used to describe God’s people in general. The more common word for God’s people is the word meaning “faithful,” as in “faithful ones” (50:5).

16:4 Multiplied sorrows is reminiscent of the curse in Gn 3:16 whereby God intensified “labor pains” for the woman. Drink offerings of blood could be a reference to human sacrifice (Is 57:5), although it is probably offerings made by those with impure motives who therefore remained guilty of sin (Is 1:15; 66:3).

16:5-6 My portion . . . cup of blessing and boundary lines . . . inheritance are terms usually used to describe the land promised to Israel. But the idea that God himself is the true inheritance rather than the land was a promise specifically to Aaron and his sons (Nm 18:20; Dt 10:9). Here the concept is expressed more generally as true for anyone who is among God’s people.

16:7 God guides his people with his counsel (33:11; 73:24). Thoughts is literally “kidneys,” which are often used in parallel with “heart” to signify the inner person (26:2; Jr 17:10).

16:8 In legal contexts the person who represented the defense of another was at the right hand (109:6). In military contexts the soldier protecting his comrade was at the right hand; also, it was the location for the sword, the primary weapon used in hand-to-hand combat. On not be shaken, see note at 13:3-4.

16:9-11 Along with v. 8, these verses are quoted (from the LXX) in the NT and explained as referring to Jesus’s resurrection (Ac 2:25-31). Though in its original context it is possible to understand the terminology as meaning deliverance from death, it can also be used to describe resurrection from the dead. The language is sufficiently ambiguous to allow for both possibilities. The NT usage is within the range of meaning and is, according to Peter, the meaning that God ultimately intended in reference to Christ. Confidence is expressed in the fact of one who rests securely. As in the case of the imagery in vv. 5-6, this language usually relates to the land (Dt 33:12,28; Jr 23:6; 33:16). The path of life usually means the way to life in OT Wisdom literature (Pr 5:6).