Psalms 16:7

7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.

Psalms 16:7 in Other Translations

KJV
7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
ESV
7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
NLT
7 I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.
MSG
7 The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
CSB
7 I will praise the Lord who counsels me- even at night my conscience instructs me.

Psalms 16:7 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 16:7

I will bless the Lord
As prayer, so thanksgiving belongs to Christ, as man and Mediator; see ( Matthew 11:25 Matthew 11:26 ) ( John 11:42 ) ; and here he determines to praise the Lord, and give thanks to him for counsel and instruction:

who hath given me counsel;
for though he himself is the Counsellor, with respect to his people, yet as man he received counsel from God, and the spirit of counsel rested on him, ( Isaiah 11:2 ) ; and fitted him for and directed him in the execution of his prophetic office; for the doctrine he taught was not his own, but his Father's; and he said nothing of himself but what his Father taught him, and instructed him to speak, ( John 6:16 ) ( 8:28 ) ( John 12:49 John 12:50 ) . And he also gave him counsel about the execution of his priestly office, or about his sufferings and death, and drinking of the cup, which he, with submission to the divine will, desired might pass from him; but having advice in this matter, most cheerfully and courageously yielded to take it, see ( Matthew 26:39 Matthew 26:42 Matthew 26:44 Matthew 26:46 Matthew 26:50 Matthew 26:53 Matthew 26:54 ) ;

my reins also instruct me in the night seasons;
when engaged in prayer to God, in which he sometimes continued a whole night together, ( Luke 6:12 ) ( 21:37 ) ; and especially in that dark and dismal night in which he was betrayed, when it was the hour and power of darkness with his enemies; then, his inward parts being influenced by the spirit of wisdom and counsel, directed him how to behave and conduct himself. Or "the reins" being the seat of the affections, and being put for them, may signify, that his strong affection for God, and love to his people, put him upon and moved him to take the steps he did, to deliver up himself into the hands of sinful men, in order to suffer and die for his friends, and obtain eternal salvation for them.

Psalms 16:7 In-Context

5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 73:24; Proverbs 15:22; Isaiah 11:2
  • 2. Job 35:10; Psalms 42:8; Psalms 77:6
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