Psalm 16 Poetic Features
Delights forever
Psalm 16
Poetic Features
In poetic features, we identify and describe the “Top 3 Poetic Features” for each Psalm. Poetic features might include intricate patterns (e.g., chiasms), long range correspondences across the psalm, evocative uses of imagery, sound-plays, allusions to other parts of the Bible, and various other features or combinations of features. For each poetic feature, we describe both the formal aspects of the feature and the poetic effect of the feature. We assume that there is no one-to-one correspondence between a feature’s formal aspects and its effect, and that similar forms might have very different effects depending on their contexts. The effect of a poetic feature is best determined (subjectively) by a thoughtful examination of the feature against the background of the psalm’s overall message and purpose.
Refuge and Protection
If an emendation or revocalization is preferred, that emendation or revocalization will be marked in the Hebrew text of all the visuals.
| Emendations/Revocalizations legend | |
|---|---|
| *Emended text* | Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is indicated by blue asterisks on either side of the emendation. |
| *Revocalized text* | Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is indicated by purple asterisks on either side of the revocalization. |
Feature
Verse 1 is unique in this psalm, because it consists of a single line: "Protect me, God, because I have taken refuge in you." By contrast, all of the other verse groups in the psalm consist of two (vv. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 , 10) or three (vv. 4, 8) lines.[1] Furthermore, v. 1 stands outside of the main two-part structure of the psalm: vv. 2–6 // vv. 7–11 (see Poetic Structure; note especially the similar beginnings in vv. 2, 7 ["I have said... I will bless"] and the similar endings in vv. 6, 11 ["delight"]).
Effect
The unique position of v. 1 prompts the reader to think carefully about how this verse fits within the overall structure and message of the psalm. Upon reflection, it seems that v. 1 is a summary of the psalm. The single line in v. 1 has two parts – (1) "Protect me, God," (2) "because I have taken refuge in you." These two parts correspond with the two main sections of the poem (vv. 2–6; vv. 7–11) in reverse order. Thus, the second half of v. 1 – "I have taken refuge in you" – corresponds to the first main section (vv. 2–6). This section fleshes out what it looks like to take refuge in YHWH. Similarly, the first half of v. 1 – "Protect me, God" – corresponds to the second main section (vv. 7–11). This section fleshes out what it looks like to receive divine protection.
Seeing v. 1 as a summary of the whole poem helps us see how the two main parts of the poem (vv. 2–6; vv. 7–11) relate to one another. Just as the two parts of v. 1 are related by the causal conjunction "because" (כִּי), so there is an implicit causal relationship between vv. 7–11 and vv. 2–6. YHWH protects the psalmist (vv. 7–11) because the psalmist takes refuge in him (vv. 2–6).
The presence of both of these elements and the causal relationship between them summarizes the essence of the covenant between YHWH and David. The Davidic king seeks refuge in YHWH, and YHWH protects him ( see e.g., 2 Sam 7:14a; Pss 2:8; 3:5; 89:27–28; 90:1–2; etc.).
Delight Now, Delight Forever
If an emendation or revocalization is preferred, that emendation or revocalization will be marked in the Hebrew text of all the visuals.
| Emendations/Revocalizations legend | |
|---|---|
| *Emended text* | Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is indicated by blue asterisks on either side of the emendation. |
| *Revocalized text* | Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is indicated by purple asterisks on either side of the revocalization. |
Feature
Psalm 16 consists of an introductory line (v. 1) and two main parts (vv. 2–6; vv. 7–11). The two parts are balanced (11 lines // 11 lines), and they correspond to each other in a number of ways. For example, each part begins with a first-person verb of speaking followed by the divine name as the addressee (vv. 2a, 7a), and each part ends with the relatively rare word "delightful" (נָעִים). There are also correspondences between v. 3 and v. 10: both verses are about the underworld, and, structurally, both verses are the central verse in a three-verse section (vv. 2–4; vv. 9–10).
Effect
The first main section of the psalm (vv. 2–6) is about what it looks like to trust in YHWH, and the second main section (vv. 7–11) is about how YHWH cares for and protects the person who trusts in him (see the Poetic Feature Refuge and Protection). The correspondences between these two sections give further depth to the relationship between them and to the meaning of the poem. The one who declares exclusive allegiance to YHWH (v. 2) will get to celebrate YHWH's protection (v. 7); the one who rejects the cult of the dead (v. 3) will be rescued from death (v. 10); and the one who delights in YHWH now (v. 6) will experience YHWH's delights forever (v. 11).
No Need for Divination
If an emendation or revocalization is preferred, that emendation or revocalization will be marked in the Hebrew text of all the visuals.
| Emendations/Revocalizations legend | |
|---|---|
| *Emended text* | Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is indicated by blue asterisks on either side of the emendation. |
| *Revocalized text* | Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is indicated by purple asterisks on either side of the revocalization. |
Feature
In the ancient world, people sought to know the will of the gods through a variety of means (e.g., Ezek 21:26[21]).[2] For example, a person might consult the dead (see 1 Sam 28; cf. Deut 18:9–11) by offering blood libations to underworld deities (v. 4b).[3] People would also examine animal organs (kidneys and, especially, livers) for divine messages (cf. Ezek 21:26[21]),[4] cast lots (cf. Josh 21:8; Jonah 1:7; Prov 16:33), and mix water and oil in a cup (cf. Gen 44:2, 5, 15).[5]
Psalm 16 explicitly refers to seeking and receiving divine guidance. Verses 3–4 refer to the practice of consulting the dead (see Lexical Semantics and Story Behind), and in v. 7 the psalmist describes how YHWH advised him. In addition to these explicit references to divine guidance, several of the words in the psalm are associated with the practice of divination, even though they are not used with this sense in the psalm: "cup" (v. 5a), "lot" (v. 5b), "kidneys" (v. 7b), "liver" (v. 9a).
Effect
In Psalm 16, the psalmist celebrates how YHWH has "advised" him (v. 7). Apparently, the psalmist was in a dangerous situation, in which he needed divine guidance. So, he turned to YHWH for help and YHWH advised him by instructing him during the night via his kidneys (i.e., his "conscience;" see Lexical Semantics). Whereas other people seek divine guidance through a variety of means, the psalmist rejects these means (v. 4) and seeks guidance from YHWH alone. Whereas other people use a cup to determine God's will, the psalmist's "cup" is YHWH himself (v. 5a). Whereas others cast lots to determine God's will, the psalmist says that YHWH is the one who holds his "lot" (v. 5b), i.e., determines his destiny. Whereas other people inspect animal kidneys and livers for divine messages, the psalmist receives instruction from YHWH in his own kidneys (v. 7), and his liver rejoices in YHWH's protection (v. 9). YHWH's guidance, in other words, is direct and sufficient. The psalmist need not look anywhere else for guidance.
Repeated Roots
The repeated roots table is intended to identify the roots which are repeated in the psalm.
| Repeated Roots legend | |
|---|---|
| Divine name | The divine name is indicated by bold purple text. |
| Roots bounding a section | Roots bounding a section, appearing in the first and last verse of a section, are indicated by bold red text. |
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Roots occurring primarily in the first section are indicated in a yellow box. |
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Roots occurring primarily in the third section are indicated in a blue box. |
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Roots connected across sections are indicated by a vertical gray line connecting the roots. |
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Section boundaries are indicated by a horizontal black line across the chart. |
