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Christian prayer

Psalm 16

Psalm 16 in its original language and with its meaning, a biblical prayer of trust and joy in God.

  • 11 verses
  • Under a minute to recite
  • From the Bible

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  1. 1

    מִכְתָּ֥ם לְדָוִ֑ד שָֽׁמְרֵ֥נִי אֵ֝֗ל כִּֽי־חָסִ֥יתִי בָֽךְ׃

    Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

  2. 2

    אָמַ֣רְתְּ לַֽ֭יהוָה אֲדֹנָ֣י אָ֑תָּה ט֝וֹבָתִ֗י בַּל־עָלֶֽיךָ׃

    O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

  3. 3

    לִ֭קְדוֹשִׁים אֲשֶׁר־בָּאָ֣רֶץ הֵ֑מָּה וְ֝אַדִּירֵ֗י כָּל־חֶפְצִי־בָֽם׃

    But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

  4. 4

    יִרְבּ֥וּ עַצְּבוֹתָם֮ אַחֵ֪ר מָ֫הָ֥רוּ בַּל־אַסִּ֣יךְ נִסְכֵּיהֶ֣ם מִדָּ֑ם וּֽבַל־אֶשָּׂ֥א אֶת־שְׁ֝מוֹתָ֗ם עַל־שְׂפָתָֽי׃

    Their 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.

  5. 5

    יְֽהוָ֗ה מְנָת־חֶלְקִ֥י וְכוֹסִ֑י אַ֝תָּ֗ה תּוֹמִ֥יךְ גּוֹרָלִֽי׃

    The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

  6. 6

    חֲבָלִ֣ים נָֽפְלוּ־לִ֭י בַּנְּעִמִ֑ים אַף־נַ֝חֲלָ֗ת שָֽׁפְרָ֥ה עָלָֽי׃

    The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

  7. 7

    אֲבָרֵ֗ךְ אֶת־יְ֭הוָה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְעָצָ֑נִי אַף־לֵ֝יל֗וֹת יִסְּר֥וּנִי כִלְיוֹתָֽי׃

    I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

  8. 8

    שִׁוִּ֬יתִי יְהוָ֣ה לְנֶגְדִּ֣י תָמִ֑יד כִּ֥י מִֽ֝ימִינִ֗י בַּל־אֶמּֽוֹט׃

    I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

  9. 9

    לָכֵ֤ן ׀ שָׂמַ֣ח לִ֭בִּי וַיָּ֣גֶל כְּבוֹדִ֑י אַף־בְּ֝שָׂרִ֗י יִשְׁכֹּ֥ן לָבֶֽטַח׃

    Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

  10. 10

    כִּ֤י ׀ לֹא־תַעֲזֹ֣ב נַפְשִׁ֣י לִשְׁא֑וֹל לֹֽא־תִתֵּ֥ן חֲ֝סִידְךָ֗ לִרְא֥וֹת שָֽׁחַת׃

    For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

  11. 11

    תּֽוֹדִיעֵנִי֮ אֹ֤רַח חַ֫יִּ֥ים שֹׂ֣בַע שְׂ֭מָחוֹת אֶת־פָּנֶ֑יךָ נְעִמ֖וֹת בִּימִינְךָ֣ נֶֽצַח׃

    Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Wording: The Holy Bible, King James Version, 1611 (standard text of 1769). Copied word for word from the edition named here

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When it is prayed

Many Christians recite Psalm 16 in personal prayer when seeking refuge, guidance or a renewed sense of trust in God. It is also used in Easter worship because Christians read its words about life and deliverance from death in light of Christ's resurrection.

  • Personal prayer
  • Seeking guidance
  • Times of uncertainty
  • Easter

Where it comes from

Psalm 16 comes from the Book of Psalms in the Bible and was originally composed in Hebrew. Its heading associates it with David. In the New Testament, its words are quoted in connection with the resurrection of Jesus.

In the libraryThe King James Version of the BibleSee the book

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Questions about Psalm 16

How many verses are in Psalm 16?

Psalm 16 has 11 verses.

What is Psalm 16 about?

It is a prayer of trust in God as refuge, guide and source of joy. The speaker expresses gratitude for God's care and confidence in remaining in his presence.

Who wrote Psalm 16?

Its heading associates it with David, and it is traditionally understood as a psalm of David. The heading does not establish its precise date of composition.

Why is Psalm 16 connected with Easter?

In the Christian tradition, its words about not being abandoned to death are understood in light of Jesus' resurrection. The New Testament draws on this psalm when speaking about the risen Christ.

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