Psalms 16:7

7 I shall bless the Lord, that hath given understanding to me; furthermore and my reins have blamed me unto the night. (I shall bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding; and furthermore my innards have taught me, that is, my conscience hath taught me, in the night.)

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 The Lord is [the] part of mine heritage, and of my passion; thou art, that shall restore mine heritage to me. (The Lord is the portion of my inheritance, and of my cup; thou art he, who shall restore my inheritance to me.)
6 Cords felled to me in full clear things; for mine heritage is full clear to me. (The cords, or the boundary-lines, fell to me in pleasant places; I am well content with my inheritance.)
7 I shall bless the Lord, that hath given understanding to me; furthermore and my reins have blamed me unto the night. (I shall bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding; and furthermore my innards have taught me, that is, my conscience hath taught me, in the night.)
8 I saw before (me) ever[more] the Lord in my sight; for he is at the right half to me, that I be not moved. (I see the Lord before me forevermore; for he is at my right hand, and I shall not be moved/and I cannot be shaken.)
9 For this thing mine heart was glad, and my tongue joyed fully; furthermore and my flesh shall rest in hope. (For this thing my heart was glad, and my tongue full out joyed, or rejoiced; and furthermore, my flesh shall rest with trust, or with confidence.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.