The Meaning of Psalms 16:7 Explained

Psalms 16:7

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

YLT: I bless Jehovah who hath counselled me; Also in the nights my reins instruct me.

Darby: I will bless Jehovah, who giveth me counsel; even in the nights my reins instruct me.

ASV: I will bless Jehovah, who hath given me counsel; Yea, my heart instructeth me in the night seasons.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Psalms 16:7 Mean?

Verse Meaning

In view of this delight, David purposed to bless or praise the Lord. This is the first of many references to blessing or praising the Lord in the Book of Psalm. To bless God means to speak well of Him and thus to praise Him.
God had counseled David through His Word. David received counsel from God through the previously written books of the Old Testament, through other prophets such as Nathan and Gad, and through personal revelations. David himself was a prophet as well as a king. It is probably to these personal words from the Lord that David referred in the second part of this verse.

Context Summary

Psalm 16:1-11 - The Citizen Of Zion And His Inheritance
The first of these psalms was probably composed to celebrate the bringing of the Ark to Mount Zion, 1 Samuel 6:20. It describes the character of those who have fellowship with God and dwell in His house all the days of their earthly lot. To the challenge of the soloist, Psalms 15:1, the choir makes response, Psalms 15:2-5, first positively, then negatively. We must act as non-conductors to evil; must mind what company we keep; and must cultivate a spirit of love and self-sacrifice which will never take advantage of others, Psalms 15:5. Here is the secret of permanence and peace.
Michtam means "golden," and may be truly applied to the next psalm, as also to Psalms 56:1-13; Psalms 57:1-11; Psalms 58:1-11; Psalms 59:1-17; Psalms 60:1-12. Others explain the word as a "secret." It is the song of the golden secret. The key is furnished in Acts 2:25. The Apostle Paul expressly emphasizes the divine authorship in Acts 13:35-38. Our Lord may have repeated Psalms 16:8-11 when He was descending the dark valley, and so may we. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 16

1  David, in distrust of merits, and hatred of idolatry
5  He shows the hope of his calling, of the resurrection, and life everlasting

What do the individual words in Psalms 16:7 mean?

I will bless - Yahweh who has given me counsel also in the night [seasons] instructs me My heart
אֲבָרֵ֗ךְ אֶת־ יְ֭הוָה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְעָצָ֑נִי אַף־ לֵ֝יל֗וֹת יִסְּר֥וּנִי כִלְיוֹתָֽי

אֲבָרֵ֗ךְ  I  will  bless 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: בָּרַךְ 
Sense: to bless, kneel.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
יְ֭הוָה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
יְעָצָ֑נִי  has  given  me  counsel 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: יׄועֵץ 
Sense: to advise, consult, give counsel, counsel, purpose, devise, plan.
אַף־  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אַף  
Sense: also, yea, though, so much the more adv.
לֵ֝יל֗וֹת  in  the  night  [seasons] 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: לַיִל 
Sense: night.
יִסְּר֥וּנִי  instructs  me 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person common plural, first person common singular
Root: יָסַר 
Sense: to chasten, discipline, instruct, admonish.
כִלְיוֹתָֽי  My  heart 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: כִּלְיָה  
Sense: kidneys.