Psalm 16/Notes/Lexical.v. 1.661330

• The psalm begins with the verb protect (שׁמר): "causative action by which humans or deities make sure that an object is safe from harm; ◄ by observing the object and the surrounding area carefully and intervening when necessary" (SDBH). The second main part of the psalm (vv. 7–11) corresponds poetically to this word in v. 1 and further defines what it means. Based on the poetic structure, therefore, we can say that "protection" in this psalm includes, especially, giving guidance (vv. 7, 11a) amidst a perilous situation, so that the psalmist can escape death (v. 10) and choose the way that leads to life (v. 11a). One thinks, for example, of how YHWH guided, or "advised," David when he escaped from Saul at Keilah (1 Sam 23:1–13). YHWH "protected" David from death by showing him the way to life. One also thinks of Saul, who sought YHWH's guidance when the Philistines gathered against him for war (1 Sam 28:4–7). In this case, however, YHWH did not advise Saul, and so Saul turned to the world of the dead for guidance (cf. v. 3: "the holy ones who are in the earth").