Psalm 16 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

You Will Not Abandon My Soul

Psa 16:1A Miktam[fn] of David.
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Psa 16:2I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”

Psa 16:3As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.[fn]

Psa 16:4The sorrows of those who run after[fn] another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.

Psa 16:5

Psa 16:5The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.

Psa 16:6

Psa 16:6The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

Psa 16:7

Psa 16:7I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.[fn]

Psa 16:8

Psa 16:8I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Psa 16:9

Psa 16:9Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being[fn] rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.

Psa 16:10

Psa 16:10For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.[fn]

Psa 16:11

Psa 16:11You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

See the ESV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

ESV Footnotes

(16:1)

Probably a musical or liturgical term

(16:3)

Or To the saints in the land, the excellent in whom is all my delight, I say:

(16:4)

Or who acquire

(16:7)

Hebrew my kidneys instruct me

(16:9)

Hebrew my glory

(16:10)

Or see the pit

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For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.