Psalm 16 1

Psalm 16:1 kjv

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

Psalm 16:1 nkjv

A Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

Psalm 16:1 niv

A miktam of David. Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.

Psalm 16:1 esv

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Psalm 16:1 nlt

Keep me safe, O God,
for I have come to you for refuge.

Psalm 16 verses

Psalm 16 1 Meaning

Psalm 16:1 is a direct prayer from the psalmist, often attributed to David, expressing deep reliance on God. It encapsulates a plea for divine preservation rooted in absolute trust in God. It highlights the worshipper's complete dependence on the Creator for protection and guidance in all circumstances, not due to personal merit, but because God alone is a trustworthy refuge.

Psalm 16 1 Context

Psalm 16 begins a unique collection often referred to as a "Mikhtam" or "golden psalm." The chapter as a whole shifts from an initial prayer for preservation to a profound declaration of delight in God's fellowship and confidence in His unfailing counsel, culminating in a victorious hope in resurrection and eternal joy. Verse 1 sets the foundational premise: the psalmist's plea for God's action ("Preserve me") is entirely dependent on and justified by his active and committed trust ("in You I put my trust"). Historically, David lived in a time often marked by enemies and challenges, where reliance on military might or alliances was common. His exclusive trust in God stands in stark contrast to such human-centric solutions or the worship of idols. It implicitly challenges contemporary beliefs by asserting God alone as the sufficient source of safety and sustenance, reflecting a polemic against the polytheistic practices and idolatrous trusts prevalent in surrounding cultures.

Psalm 16 1 Word analysis

• Preserve me: (Hebrew: Shamreni - שָׁמְרֵנִי) This is an imperative verb from the root shamar, meaning to watch, guard, keep, protect. It's a prayer for active, continuous divine watchfulness and guardianship. It signifies a comprehensive protection, not just from physical dangers, but also from spiritual pitfalls, moral compromise, and the very act of losing faith. It highlights the worshipper's dependence and God's powerful capacity as a keeper of His people, much like a shepherd guarding his flock or a city's watchman on guard.
• O God: (Hebrew: El - אֵל) This is a generic, powerful name for God, emphasizing His strength, might, and supreme power. It denotes the one true God, distinct from any false deities or human powers, highlighting the psalmist's address to the omnipotent Creator, who is uniquely capable of providing true preservation.
• for: (Hebrew: Ki - כִּי) This conjunction introduces the reason or basis for the preceding request. It connects the prayer for preservation directly to the act of trusting, establishing a causal link: because I trust in You, therefore, preserve me. It is not an arbitrary plea but one grounded in a pre-existing relationship of dependence.
• in You: (Hebrew: Bekha - בְךָ) The preposition 'in' (b) signifies intimate association, dependence, and the place or sphere of trust. It means not merely through God but within His very being, His character, His power, His presence. This exclusivity denotes that trust is not divided among multiple sources but solely and completely placed upon God.
• I put my trust: (Hebrew: Chasiti - חָסִיתִי) From the root chasah, meaning to take refuge, seek shelter, trust, or flee for protection. It denotes a settled, abiding, and confident reliance. The perfect tense indicates an accomplished fact, a standing condition: "I have taken refuge and continue to do so." This is not a fleeting hope but a deliberate, settled act of commitment to God as one's sole security and sanctuary. It implies an abandonment of self-reliance and any other perceived sources of security.

Psalm 16 1 Bonus section

The Hebrew word Mikhtam in the superscription of Psalm 16 (and five other psalms: 56-60) is of uncertain meaning, often translated as "a Michtam of David" or "a golden psalm." Some scholars suggest it implies a "golden" or precious quality, denoting its spiritual value. Others link it to a root meaning "to stamp" or "to engrave," suggesting it was a permanent inscription or a valuable record for meditation and instruction. This mysterious term hints at the profound spiritual truths contained within, reinforcing the idea that this psalm, starting with its simple prayer of trust, holds a significant, possibly prophetic, weight that extends beyond David's personal experience, pointing towards the ultimate trust of Christ in His suffering and resurrection (as seen in Acts 2:25-31 and 13:35 applying later verses of Ps 16 to Jesus).

Psalm 16 1 Commentary

Psalm 16:1 forms the bedrock of a psalmist's journey into confident worship. It is a succinct articulation of radical trust in the Living God. The prayer for "preservation" is a fundamental human cry, but its unique power here lies in its unconditional foundation: "in You I put my trust." This trust is not a mere intellectual assent but a profound commitment, an active leaning upon God as one's ultimate refuge (chasah). This declaration sets a deeply personal, relational tone for the entire psalm, positioning the believer as utterly dependent on the Most High. The implication is that divine protection is both a just response to such unwavering trust and an inherent aspect of God's character. For a believer today, it reminds us that true security is found not in human achievements, financial stability, or worldly recognition, but solely in anchoring our entire being in the unchanging God, allowing His sovereignty to govern our lives, and in response, anticipating His faithful preservation. It encourages us to abandon our burdens and anxieties, placing them at the feet of the One who alone can guard our hearts, minds, and souls.