Psalm 16 5

Psalm 16:5 kjv

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

Psalm 16:5 nkjv

O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.

Psalm 16:5 niv

LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.

Psalm 16:5 esv

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

Psalm 16:5 nlt

LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.

Psalm 16 verses

Psalm 16 5 Meaning

Psalm 16:5 declares that the Lord Himself is the believer's sole and complete source of provision, inheritance, destiny, and security. It signifies an intimate relationship where God is not merely a provider of things, but is the supreme and satisfying possession that transcends any earthly wealth, land, or fortune. It reflects a profound contentment and trust in God's sovereign care over one's entire life and future.

Psalm 16 5 Context

Psalm 16 is a Miktam (a term of uncertain meaning, possibly "golden psalm" or a "goldsmith's inscription" hinting at preciousness), attributed to David. It's a psalm of deep trust and confidence in God, often seen as a prophetic Messianic psalm because of its verse 10 regarding not letting God's holy one see corruption (referenced in Acts 2 by Peter regarding Jesus' resurrection).

Verse 5 flows from David's declaration in verse 4, where he contrasts his trust in the LORD with those who chase after other gods, whose sorrows increase. This verse emphatically states why David rejects idolatry: because his ultimate portion and satisfaction come directly from the LORD. The cultural context revolves around land inheritance being the primary form of security and prosperity in ancient Israel, much like modern-day wealth or possessions. However, the Levitical priests did not receive a land inheritance; instead, the LORD was their "inheritance" (Num 18:20, Deut 10:9). David extends this concept, indicating that God is the supreme inheritance not just for priests, but for any true believer whose heart is devoted to Him, making any earthly inheritance secondary or negligible by comparison. This verse establishes a polemic against reliance on material possessions or pagan deities, asserting God's absolute sufficiency.

Psalm 16 5 Word analysis

• The LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH / Yahweh): The personal, covenant name of God, emphasizing His self-existence, eternal nature, and covenant faithfulness. It highlights that it is not merely some divine power or concept, but the very essence of the one true God who is David's portion.
• is my (לֹנָתִֽי / menati): The Hebrew word menah or menat means "portion," "share," or "allotment." The suffix "-i" denotes "my." It refers to an allocated share or what one receives as their part.
• portion (מְנָתִֽי / menati): The concept here directly links to the distribution of land in the Promised Land where tribes and individuals received their assigned "portion" or "lot." David asserts that God Himself fulfills this role.
• inheritance (חֶבֶל / chevel): Literally "rope" or "measuring line," referring to the method used to measure and divide land among families and tribes. By extension, it signifies the measured-out "allotment" or "inheritance" of land itself. This word implies a designated, secure share.
• and of my cup (וְכוֹסִֽי / v'kosi): "Cup" is a rich biblical metaphor. It can represent one's destiny, lot in life, portion of joy or sorrow, or the entirety of one's experience or divine blessing. The combination with "portion/inheritance" suggests the fullness of what God assigns and provides in one's life.
• Thou maintainest (תּוֹמִיךְ / tomikh): From the verb tamakh, meaning "to grasp," "hold," "support," "uphold," or "maintain." This emphasizes God's active, strong, and enduring preservation and security over David's designated destiny. It implies that God doesn't just give the lot but continually secures it.
• my lot (גּוֹרָלִי / gorali): Refers to something assigned by lot or choice, hence one's destiny, portion, or fate. This word, like "inheritance," reinforces the idea of an apportioned share in life, often implying divine determination.

Words-group analysis:

• The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup: This phrase declares that the believer's entire sustenance, satisfaction, and life's blessings — spiritual and temporal — originate solely from God. "Chosen portion" highlights God as the supreme and deliberate object of their reliance, while "my cup" symbolizes everything that fills their life, emphasizing God as the source of their full destiny and experience. This is a radical declaration, placing God above all material inheritances or pursuits.
• Thou maintainest my lot: This indicates God's sovereign hand in securing and preserving the believer's designated path and future. It's not just a passive allotment but an active, divine upholding. God ensures that the believer's assigned "lot" or life circumstance is kept safe, ordered, and fulfilled according to His purpose, providing deep security and stability against all adversities.

Psalm 16 5 Bonus section

The Hebrew wordplay between chevel (inheritance/measuring line) and gorali (lot/destiny) subtly reinforces the idea of divine ordination. It paints a picture where God precisely measures out and firmly holds one's life circumstances. This verse provides an antidote to anxiety and materialism by asserting that one's true security lies not in what they possess but in Who possesses them. It forms a theological bedrock for understanding that finding fullness in God liberates one from the endless chase after worldly things. It implies that every aspect of one's existence, even those things typically considered matters of fate or chance, are under God's careful oversight and ultimate design.

Psalm 16 5 Commentary

Psalm 16:5 stands as a foundational declaration of absolute trust and satisfaction in God alone. It shifts the paradigm of human security from tangible assets like land, wealth, or power to the Person of God Himself. For the ancient Israelite, land was their economic basis, social status, and a direct fulfillment of God's covenant promises. Yet, David, and by extension the psalmist for all believers, proclaims that the very Lord, YHWH, surpasses even this quintessential possession. He is their menat (portion/share), like the Levites whose inheritance was God Himself rather than land. This speaks of a deep spiritual contentment where the soul finds its ultimate rest and joy in fellowship with God.

The addition of "and my cup" expands this idea beyond a static inheritance to the dynamic experience of life itself. The "cup" represents the entirety of one's experience – the blessings and the trials, the joys and sorrows – all are portioned out and controlled by the Divine. The statement "Thou maintainest my lot" underscores God's active, personal, and constant superintendence over one's life. He not only designates the portion but also holds it secure. This speaks of God's unwavering providence, ensuring that the believer's destiny is firmly established and cannot be shaken by external forces. It fosters profound confidence that God is sovereign over every detail, sustaining His children and protecting their divinely appointed course. This radical trust contrasts sharply with the frantic pursuit of worldly security or the emptiness of idolatry, establishing the believer's life firmly upon God's unchanging nature and faithful care.