The Meaning of Psalms 16:1 Explained

Psalms 16:1

KJV: {Michtam of David.} Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

YLT: A Secret Treasure of David. Preserve me, O God, for I did trust in Thee.

Darby: {Michtam of David.} Preserve me, O God: for I trust in thee.

ASV: Preserve me, O God; for in thee do I take refuge.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{Michtam  of David.  }} Preserve  me, O God:  for in thee do I put my trust. 

What does Psalms 16:1 Mean?

Study Notes

Michtam
Michtam, "a prayer," or "meditation." See Psalms 56; Psalms 57; Psalms 59; Psalms 60.
trust
trust
Trust is the characteristic O.T. word for the N.T. "faith," "believe." It occurs 152 times in the O.T., and is the rendering of Heb. words signifying to take refuge (e.g. Ruth 2:12 "to lean on" (e.g.) Psalms 56:3 "to roll on" (e.g.) Psalms 22:8 "to stay upon" (e.g.) Job 35:14 .

Verse Meaning

This verse is a kind of topic sentence for the section. It is a prayer for protection in some unidentified distress based on the psalmist"s confidence in the Lord"s protection.

Context Summary

Psalms 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: Psalms 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 16:1 mean?

a Michtam of David Preserve me God for I put my trust in You
מִכְתָּ֥ם לְדָוִ֑ד שָֽׁמְרֵ֥נִי אֵ֝֗ל כִּֽי־ חָסִ֥יתִי בָֽךְ

מִכְתָּ֥ם  a  Michtam 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִכְתָּם  
Sense: michtam.
לְדָוִ֑ד  of  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
שָֽׁמְרֵ֥נִי  Preserve  me 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
אֵ֝֗ל  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֵל 
Sense: god, god-like one, mighty one.
חָסִ֥יתִי  I  put  my  trust 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: חָסָה  
Sense: (Qal) to seek refuge, flee for protection.
בָֽךְ  in  You 
Parse: Preposition, second person masculine singular