Psalms 16:2

Authorized King James Version

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O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

Original Language Analysis

אָמַ֣רְתְּ O my soul thou hast said H559
אָמַ֣רְתְּ O my soul thou hast said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 7
to say (used with great latitude)
לַֽ֭יהוָה unto the LORD H3068
לַֽ֭יהוָה unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲדֹנָ֣י Thou art my Lord H136
אֲדֹנָ֣י Thou art my Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 3 of 7
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
אָ֑תָּה H859
אָ֑תָּה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 4 of 7
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
ט֝וֹבָתִ֗י my goodness H2896
ט֝וֹבָתִ֗י my goodness
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 5 of 7
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
בַּל H1077
בַּל
Strong's: H1077
Word #: 6 of 7
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
עָלֶֽיךָ׃ H5921
עָלֶֽיךָ׃
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 7 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Analysis & Commentary

David declares 'You are my Lord; I have no good apart from You.' This is comprehensive God-dependence. The Hebrew 'towb' (good) encompasses all blessing and welfare. This anticipates Jesus' teaching that 'no one is good except God alone' (Mark 10:18) and Paul's affirmation that every good gift comes from God (James 1:17). Reformed theology's doctrine of total depravity teaches that apart from God's grace, humanity possesses no spiritual good.

Historical Context

A Michtam of David, possibly composed during exile or flight, when stripped of earthly supports and forced to rely solely on God.

Questions for Reflection

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