en_tn/tNotes/Psalms/Psalms_016.md

Psalms 16

Psalms 16:1

General Information:

Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-poetry and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)

take refuge in you

Going to Yahweh for protection is spoken of as taking refuge in him. Alternate translation: "go to you for protection" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Psalms 16:2

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Psalms 16:3

the holy people who are on the earth

Here "holy people" refers to God's own people who trust him. Alternate translation: "your people who live in this land" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

Psalms 16:4

Their troubles will be ... gods

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The troubles of those who seek other gods will increase" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

pour out ... blood to their gods

"pour out blood as a sacrifice to their gods"

or lift up their names with my lips

Lifting up their names is a metaphor for praising them, and "lips" is a metonym for what one says. Alternate translation: "or praise them with my words" or "and I will not praise their gods" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exmetaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Psalms 16:5

my chosen portion

Here David speaks of Yahweh as if he were a portion of land that has been given to him. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

my cup

Here David speaks of Yahweh as if he were a cup that contains many blessings. Alternate translation: "the one who blesses me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

You hold onto my lot

"You determine my future" or "You control what will happen to me"

Psalms 16:6

Measuring lines ... in pleasant places

Here laying down measuring lines is a metonym for measuring land and giving it to someone, and here this is a metaphor for God blessing David in many great ways. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "You have measured off land for me in pleasant places" or "You have given me land in pleasant places" or "You bless me like one who gives land in pleasant places" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

Measuring lines

These are ropes that people use to measure a plot of land and mark its boundaries.

surely a pleasing inheritance is mine

Here David speaks of Yahweh's blessings as if they were an inheritance that he has received. Alternate translation: "I am delighted with all the things that he has given me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Psalms 16:7

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Psalms 16:8

I set Yahweh before me at all times

"I always remember that Yahweh is with me"

so I will not be shaken from his right hand

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "nothing will take me away from his side" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

Psalms 16:9

General Information:

David continues to speak to God.

my heart is glad

Here the "heart" represents the speaker's thoughts and emotions. Alternate translation: "Therefore I am glad" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

my glory is rejoicing

Possible meanings are 1) the word "glory" represents the honor a person feels. Alternate translation: "I am honored to rejoice in God" or 2) the word translated "glory" really means "liver" and represents the speaker's emotions. Alternate translation: "I am rejoicing"

Psalms 16:10

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Psalms 16:11

abundant joy

"great joy" or "a large amount of joy"

joy resides in your presence

The writer speaks of "joy" as if it were a person. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)

in your right hand

The words "right hand" indicate being in God's special presence. Alternate translation: "when I am near you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)