
Text -- Psalms 16:6 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
My portion, which was measured with lines.

Wesley: Psa 16:6 - -- In a land flowing with milk and honey, and above all, blessed with the presence and knowledge of God.
In a land flowing with milk and honey, and above all, blessed with the presence and knowledge of God.
God is the chief good, and supplies all need (Deu 10:9).

JFB: Psa 16:5-7 - -- May contain an allusion to the daily supply of food, and also to the inheritance of Levi (Deu 18:1-2).
May contain an allusion to the daily supply of food, and also to the inheritance of Levi (Deu 18:1-2).

JFB: Psa 16:5-7 - -- Or, drawest out my lot--enlargest it. Psa 16:7 carries out this idea more fully.
Or, drawest out my lot--enlargest it. Psa 16:7 carries out this idea more fully.
Clarke: Psa 16:6 - -- The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places - Here is an allusion to the ancient division of the land by lot among the Israelites, the breadth a...
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places - Here is an allusion to the ancient division of the land by lot among the Israelites, the breadth and length being ascertained by lines which were used in measuring. I have got a rich inheritance of immortal spirits; and I myself, as man, shall have a name above every name, and be raised to thy throne, on which I shall sit, and be admired in my saints to all eternity

Clarke: Psa 16:6 - -- I have a goodly heritage - A Church, an innumerable multitude of saints, partakers of the Divine nature, and filled with all the fullness of God. An...
I have a goodly heritage - A Church, an innumerable multitude of saints, partakers of the Divine nature, and filled with all the fullness of God. And these shall dwell with me in the heaven of heavens to all eternity. The old Psalter: -
Psa 16:5 Dominus pars hereditatis mee et calicis mei , etc
Trans. Lord es part of myn herytage and of my chalyce; thow ert that sal restore myn herytage til me.
Par - Lord the fader es part, that es, he es porcioun and mede of myn herytage; that es of haly men, qwam I weld in herytage. Other men cheses tham what tham lyst: my part es God, and he es part of my chalyce: that es, he es my copp of al my delyte and boor. Wereldys men drynkes the venemus lustes, and the drubly delytes of lychery and covatys: I in my halows sal drynk God; for thu ert fadyr that sal restore till me, that es, til my men, myn herytage, that thai lost in Adam: that es thu restores til tham the knawyng of my bryghthede
Psa 16:6 Punes ceciderunt michi in preclaris , etc
Trans. Strynges fel to me in ful bryght: for qwy, myn herytage is ful bryght til me.
Par - Strynges, that er merkes of my possessioun, in thi bryghtnes, fel als with cutte; als the possessioun of prestes and dekens in the alde law, was God; for qwy myn herytage, that es haly men es bryght til me of that seme layth and aute castyng til some of the werld, til me thai er fairer and bryght.
Calvin -> Psa 16:6
Calvin: Psa 16:6 - -- 6.The lines 325 have fallen to me. The Psalmist confirms more fully what he had already said in the preceding verse with respect to his resting, wi...
6.The lines 325 have fallen to me. The Psalmist confirms more fully what he had already said in the preceding verse with respect to his resting, with a composed and tranquil mind, in God alone; or rather, he so glories in God as nobly to despise all that the world imagines to be excellent and desirable without him. By magnifying God in such honorable and exalted strains, he gives us to understand that he does not desire any thing more as his portion and felicity. This doctrine may be profitable to us in many ways. It ought to draw us away not only from all the perverse inventions of superstition, but also from all the allurements of the flesh and of the world. Whenever, therefore, those things present themselves to us which would lead us away from resting in God alone, let us make use of this sentiment as an antidote against them, that we have sufficient cause for being contented, since he who has in himself an absolute fullness of all good has given himself to be enjoyed by us. In this way we will experience our condition to be always pleasant and comfortable; for he who has God as his portion is destitute of nothing which is requisite to constitute a happy life.
TSK -> Psa 16:6
TSK: Psa 16:6 - -- The lines : Psa 78:55; Amo 7:17
in pleasant : Psa 21:1-3; Heb 12:2
I have : Jer 3:19; Joh 20:17; Rom 8:17; 1Co 3:21-23; Eph 1:18; Phi 2:9-11; 2Ti 2:12...
The lines : Psa 78:55; Amo 7:17
in pleasant : Psa 21:1-3; Heb 12:2
I have : Jer 3:19; Joh 20:17; Rom 8:17; 1Co 3:21-23; Eph 1:18; Phi 2:9-11; 2Ti 2:12; Rev 3:21

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Psa 16:6
Barnes: Psa 16:6 - -- The lines - The word used here refers to the "lines"employed in measuring and dividing land, Amo 7:17; 2Sa 8:2. Hence, the word comes to denote...
The lines - The word used here refers to the "lines"employed in measuring and dividing land, Amo 7:17; 2Sa 8:2. Hence, the word comes to denote a portion of land that is "measured out"(or that is "surveyed off") to anyone - his possession or property; and hence, the word refers to the condition in life. The meaning here is, that in running out such a survey, "his"inheritance had been fixed in a pleasant and desirable part of the land.
Are fallen unto me - Referring to the appropriation of the different parts of the land by lot. The idea is, that the land was surveyed into distinct portions, and then that the part which fell to anyone was determined by lot. This was actually the case in distributing the land of Canaan, Num 26:55; Num 33:54; Num 36:2; Josh. 15\endash 19.
In pleasant places - In a pleasant or desirable part of the land.
Yea, I have a goodly heritage - A good, a desirable inheritance. The meaning is, that he regarded it as a desirable heritage that he lived where the true God was known; where he enjoyed his favor and friendship.
Poole -> Psa 16:6
Poole: Psa 16:6 - -- The lines i.e. my portion, which was measured with lines. Compare Jos 17:5 Deu 32:9 .
In pleasant places in a sweet land flowing with milk and hone...
PBC -> Psa 16:6
PBC: Psa 16:6 - -- David is speaking of heritage which he does not entirely understand. "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yes, I have a goodly heritage."...
David is speaking of heritage which he does not entirely understand. "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yes, I have a goodly heritage." Webster defines heritage (1) as being property that is or can be inherited (2) something handed down from one’s ancestors or the past, as a culture, tradition, etc.; birthright- the sense in which the word is being used here. David is speaking of things that are Godly.
Israel of old was given this heritage because of the promise which God had made to Abram. It was divided to them by lot and they must obey God in order to possess it. Sometimes this involved going to war with those who would attempt to take the land. There was a peculiar thing which existed in this transaction. Even though God had divided the land to them by lot, it continued to belong to Him as His special portion out of all the earth. It is called "the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established." {Ex 15:17} Again we find recorded, "The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me." {Le 25:23} You will find other Scriptures which carry this thought of truth- 1Sa 26:19; 21:3.
CHANGES SOMETIMES ARE SOUGHT OUT BY WHICH WE THINK WE WILL BE BETTER SITUATED
From time to time Israel grew weary with conditions that existed among them. In the time of Samuel they wanted a king so that they would be like their neighbors. {1Sa 8:6,19-20} Another area of unrest was their going after other gods which their God had forbidden. After the death of Joshua the children of Israel forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and provoked the Lord to anger. "And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies."
Jg 2:12,14 At the time of the advent of Jesus, Israel was so fragmented by sin and divisions until they did not recognize the Messiah whom God had promised. So it is with God’s people in all times. When we become dissatisfied with the great things which have been our timely salvation and begin to covet the ways of the counterfeit religions round about us, there is nothing awaiting us but to become more and more like them. Changing our way; or, even changing our name will do nothing but cause us to fall at the hand of those who would destroy the beliefs which declare that God is The God of Spiritual Israel.
Whatever our stigma may be, changing our name, belief, or status will not change how we appear in the eyes of the world round about us. If they disdained us (and they do) before the change, they will disdain us for being weaker than they and making the change. Primitive Baptists have been different in the belief that Grace needs no help in order for God to accomplish His will in the heart of the poor needy sinner. When we take the idea that "helps" are needed in this initial seeking and saving of the dead alien sinner, we are treading on grounds which have splintered God’s people in every age of the New Testament Church. If this need is there, it is fostered by another god which we have thought was strong. But like Dagon of old: this god will fall before the Lord God who is our strong and mighty tower. 1Sa 5:2-7 (KJV) "When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon’s house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day. And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god."
Some will say that I am blowing this issue out of proportion and misrepresenting the issue. Only eyes blinded by desire for numbers and power will try to change the plan of God which has been the joy of Zion in ages past. "How can we sing the songs of Zion in a strange land?" If the setting is strange, the tune will also be strange and the words garbled. I am willing to leave these changes to others! I am willing to take the path which is safe and free from the wrath of God. "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage"
Haydock -> Psa 16:6
Haydock: Psa 16:6 - -- Heard me, of former occasions. This encourages me to pray with more confidence (Berthier) and fervour. Bona vota quoties effectum percipiunt, mult...
Heard me, of former occasions. This encourages me to pray with more confidence (Berthier) and fervour. Bona vota quoties effectum percipiunt, multiplicantur. (St. Gregory, Mor. xxxv. 3.) ---
Hebrew also, "thou wilt hear me favourably." (St. Jerome) (Haydock)
Gill -> Psa 16:6
Gill: Psa 16:6 - -- The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places,.... The allusion is to the measuring of land by lines, and appropriating each part to the proper own...
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places,.... The allusion is to the measuring of land by lines, and appropriating each part to the proper owners; and lines design the land that is measured out by them, and here the church and people of God, the chosen ones who are given to Christ, as his portion and inheritance; and the sense is, that Christ's portion lies among or in pleasant persons; such as were so to him, as he saw them in his Father's purposes and decrees; and as they are clothed in his righteousness, and washed in his blood; and as they are adorned with the graces of his Spirit; and as they will be as a bride adorned for him in the New Jerusalem state, for rather persons than places are here meant: though as the bounds of the saints' habitations are set, and they are known to Christ, so they were pleasant to him, and he took delight and rejoiced in the very spots of ground where he knew they would dwell, Pro 8:31; and the word "places" is supplied by Aben Ezra and Kimchi: but the former sense seems best, and agrees with what follows;
yea, I have a goodly heritage: so the Lord's people are called, 1Pe 5:3; these are Christ's heritage, his peculiar treasure, his jewels, with whom he is greatly delighted and well pleased; more than men are with their gold and silver, houses and land, and their greatest wealth and substance: these persons are the inheritance with which he is contented and fully satisfied.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes -> Psa 16:6
NET Notes: Psa 16:6 Heb “measuring lines have fallen for me in pleasant [places]; yes, property [or “an inheritance”] is beautiful for me.” On the...
Geneva Bible -> Psa 16:6
Geneva Bible: Psa 16:6 The ( e ) lines are fallen unto me in pleasant [places]; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
( e ) With which my portion is measured.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Psa 16:1-11
TSK Synopsis: Psa 16:1-11 - --1 David, in distrust of merits, and hatred of idolatry, flees to God for preservation.5 He shews the hope of his calling, of the resurrection, and lif...
Maclaren -> Psa 16:5-6
Maclaren: Psa 16:5-6 - --Man's True Treasure In God
The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup; Thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasa...
MHCC -> Psa 16:1-11
MHCC: Psa 16:1-11 - --David flees to God's protection, with cheerful, believing confidence. Those who have avowed that the Lord is their Lord, should often put themselves i...
Matthew Henry -> Psa 16:1-7
Matthew Henry: Psa 16:1-7 - -- This psalm is entitled Michtam, which some translate a golden psalm, a very precious one, more to be valued by us than gold, yea, than much fine...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Psa 16:6-8
Keil-Delitzsch: Psa 16:6-8 - --
The measuring lines ( הבלים ) are cast (Mic 2:5) and fall to any one just where and as far as his property is assigned to him; so that נפל...
Constable -> Psa 16:1-11; Psa 16:1-8
Constable: Psa 16:1-11 - --Psalm 16
This psalm voices the joy David experienced in his life because of his trust in God and fellows...
