Psalms 16:10

KJV

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

KJV (with Strong's)

For thou wilt not leave {H5800} my soul {H5315} in hell {H7585}; neither wilt thou suffer {H5414} thine Holy One {H2623} to see {H7200} corruption {H7845}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for you will not abandon me to Sh'ol, you will not let your faithful one see the Abyss.

Berean Standard Bible

For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.

American Standard Version

For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 16:10 stands as a profound declaration of unwavering trust in God's preservation, expressing the psalmist's conviction that his soul will not be abandoned to the grave nor will God's "Holy One" experience the decay of death. While rooted in David's personal walk of faith and hope in divine protection, this verse transcends his individual experience, serving as a pivotal Messianic prophecy that finds its ultimate and unique fulfillment in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, establishing a cornerstone for New Testament theology concerning victory over death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 16 is designated a "Miktam" (a golden psalm or an inscription), suggesting a deep, reflective, and perhaps weighty composition. It is a prayer or meditation attributed to David, characterized by its profound expression of confidence and joy in God's presence and protection. The psalm opens with a plea for preservation, quickly transitioning into a declaration of David's delight in the Lord and his chosen portion. Verses 5-8 speak of God as his inheritance and guide, leading to a sense of security and joy ("my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell secure"). Verse 9 explicitly states, "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope." Psalms 16:10 flows directly from this declaration of hope and security, providing the theological basis for such confidence: God's active intervention to prevent permanent abandonment to death and decay. It moves from a general statement of trust to a specific, unique promise concerning the "Holy One."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite understanding, *Sheol* (translated "hell" or "grave" in this verse) was the common destination for all the dead, a shadowy realm from which return was generally not expected. It was not typically conceived as a place of eternal torment, but rather the collective abode of departed souls, a place of silence and inactivity. The prevailing Old Testament perspective lacked a clear, developed doctrine of individual resurrection or afterlife rewards/punishments, though glimpses of hope beyond *Sheol* do appear (e.g., [Job 19:25-27](/job/19-25 "Job's Hope in a Redeemer")). Within this context, the assertion that God would not "leave my soul in hell" or "suffer thine Holy One to see corruption" is remarkably distinct and forward-looking. It suggests a divine intervention that defies the natural order of death and decay, hinting at a unique triumph over the grave that goes beyond the common fate of humanity.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 16:10 encapsulates several crucial themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Preservation**, emphasizing God's sovereign power to protect and deliver His faithful ones, even from the ultimate enemy, death. Secondly, it introduces the theme of **Hope Beyond the Grave**, offering a profound assurance that death is not the final word for those in covenant with God, anticipating a future triumph over mortality. Thirdly, and most significantly, it serves as a powerful **Messianic Prophecy**. While David himself died and his body experienced decay, the precise language of "thine Holy One" and "not see corruption" points to a unique individual who would perfectly fulfill this promise. This prophetic dimension becomes foundational in the New Testament, as apostles like Peter and Paul explicitly apply this verse to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, demonstrating God's meticulous fulfillment of His promises and revealing Christ as the ultimate "Holy One" who conquered death ([Acts 2:27-31](/acts/2-27 "Peter's Sermon on the Resurrection") and [Acts 13:35-37](/acts/13-35 "Paul's Sermon on the Resurrection")). This verse also underscores the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, as God's commitment to His "Holy One" is rooted in His unwavering character and promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hell (Hebrew, _Sheol_):** In this context, *Sheol* refers to the grave or the realm of the dead, the common destination for all departed souls in the Old Testament understanding. It signifies the state of death and separation from the land of the living. The promise "thou wilt not leave my soul in hell" means that the psalmist, or more accurately, the "Holy One," would not be permanently abandoned to the power of death or the grave's dominion, implying a release or resurrection from that state. This is distinct from the New Testament concept of *Gehenna*, which refers to a place of eternal punishment.
* **Holy One (Hebrew, _Chasid_):** This term derives from the Hebrew root *chesed*, meaning "loyal love," "kindness," or "faithfulness." A *chasid* is therefore one who is "pious," "godly," "faithful," or "loyal" to God's covenant. While it can refer to any devoted follower of God, the singular form, combined with the subsequent promise of not seeing corruption, elevates its meaning in this prophetic context. As interpreted by the New Testament, it points uniquely to Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied faithfulness and holiness, and was uniquely preserved from decay.
* **Corruption (Hebrew, _Shachath_):** This word specifically means "decay," "decomposition," "putrefaction," or "the pit." It refers to the physical process of the body breaking down after death. The phrase "neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption" is a precise and powerful declaration that the body of the "Holy One" would not undergo the natural process of decomposition. This is a crucial detail that distinguishes the prophecy from the common experience of humanity and points directly to a resurrection that occurs before physical decay sets in.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell":** This clause expresses a divine commitment to prevent the psalmist's "soul" (Hebrew *nephesh*, often meaning the whole person, the life-force, or the self) from being permanently abandoned to *Sheol*, the realm of the dead. It speaks to a temporary sojourn in death, followed by a divine intervention that ensures release. This is not a promise to avoid death altogether, but to avoid being *left* in its power.
* **"neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption":** This second clause parallels and intensifies the first, specifying the nature of the divine preservation. The "Holy One" (the *chasid* mentioned above) will not experience physical decay or decomposition. This is a remarkable and unique promise, as all human bodies naturally undergo corruption after death. The "seeing" of corruption implies experiencing or undergoing it. The negation here signifies a complete exemption from this natural consequence of death.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 16:10 employs several significant literary devices. Foremost is **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the two clauses express a similar idea in different words, reinforcing the central message: God's refusal to abandon His chosen one to the permanent grasp of death and decay. "Not leave my soul in hell" is echoed and amplified by "neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption," with the second clause adding a crucial, specific detail about physical preservation. The verse also functions as **Prophecy**, a forward-looking statement that transcends the immediate context of David's life and points to a future, greater fulfillment. The term "Holy One" can be seen as a **Title** or **Epithet**, a specific designation that, in its ultimate fulfillment, identifies a unique individual. The concept of *Sheol* itself can be understood as a **Metonymy** for death or the grave, representing the ultimate consequence of mortality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a theological linchpin, bridging the Old Testament's nascent understanding of the afterlife with the New Testament's full revelation of resurrection. It reveals God's ultimate sovereignty over life and death, demonstrating that even the grave cannot hold His chosen ones permanently. The promise that God's "Holy One" would not see corruption is a unique and precise detail that sets this prophecy apart, laying the groundwork for the Christian understanding of bodily resurrection. It underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant and His power to bring life out of death, transforming the despair of the grave into a confident hope.

* [Acts 2:27](/acts/2-27 "Peter's Sermon on the Resurrection")
* [Acts 13:35](/acts/13-35 "Paul's Sermon in Antioch")
* [1 Corinthians 15:54](/1_corinthians/15-54 "Victory Over Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 16:10 offers profound comfort and an unshakable foundation for hope in the face of life's greatest certainty: death. For the believer, this verse, understood through its fulfillment in Christ, transforms the grave from a terrifying finality into a temporary passage. It assures us that God is not defeated by death but has conquered it through His "Holy One." This truth empowers us to live with courage, knowing that our ultimate destiny is not decay but resurrection and eternal life with God. It calls us to place our trust wholly in the God who raises the dead, finding peace in His sovereign plan even amidst sorrow and loss. Furthermore, it strengthens our faith in the reliability of God's Word, as we witness the meticulous fulfillment of ancient prophecy in the person of Jesus Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's power over death, as revealed in this psalm, impact your perspective on suffering and loss?**
* **In what ways does the fulfillment of this prophecy in Christ deepen your trust in God's faithfulness to His promises?**
* **How might the hope of resurrection, foretold here, shape your daily living and priorities?**

### FAQ

**Is this verse primarily about David or Jesus?**

Answer: While Psalms 16:10 is found within a psalm attributed to David and reflects his personal confidence in God's protection, its language, particularly "thine Holy One" and the promise of "not see corruption," transcends David's personal experience. David himself died and his body experienced decay, as acknowledged by Peter in [Acts 2:29](/acts/2-29 "Peter's Sermon on David's Death"). The New Testament apostles, Peter ([Acts 2:27-31](/acts/2-27 "Peter's Sermon on the Resurrection")) and Paul ([Acts 13:35-37](/acts/13-35 "Paul's Sermon on the Resurrection")), explicitly interpret this verse as a direct Messianic prophecy concerning Jesus Christ. They argue that David spoke prophetically of the resurrection of the Messiah, who would uniquely fulfill the promise of not seeing corruption. Therefore, while it has a Davidic context, its primary and ultimate fulfillment is in Jesus.

**What is the difference between "hell" in Psalms 16:10 and the New Testament concept of hell?**

Answer: The word "hell" in Psalms 16:10 is a translation of the Hebrew word *Sheol*. In the Old Testament, *Sheol* refers to the grave or the general realm of the dead, the common abode for all departed souls, regardless of their righteousness. It was typically conceived as a shadowy, silent place, not necessarily a place of eternal punishment. The promise in Psalms 16:10 is that the "Holy One" would not be *left* permanently in *Sheol*, implying a release or resurrection from that state. In contrast, the New Testament uses different Greek words for "hell," such as *Gehenna* (a place of eternal judgment and fire, often associated with the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem) and *Tartarus* (a place of confinement for rebellious angels). While *Hades* in the New Testament can sometimes refer to the realm of the dead, similar to *Sheol*, it is also distinguished from the ultimate place of eternal punishment. Thus, Psalms 16:10 speaks of deliverance from the power of the grave, not from eternal damnation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 16:10 finds its perfect and singular fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate "Holy One" (the *Chasid*) of God, uniquely righteous and without sin, who perfectly embodied the loyalty and faithfulness to God that David aspired to. When Jesus died on the cross, He truly entered the realm of the dead, *Sheol*, experiencing death fully. However, as prophesied, God did not abandon His soul there, nor did He suffer His body to see corruption. On the third day, before His body could begin to decay, Jesus was raised from the dead by the power of God ([Matthew 28:6](/matthew/28-6 "The Empty Tomb")). This miraculous resurrection, attested to by numerous eyewitnesses and proclaimed by the apostles ([Acts 2:31-32](/acts/2-31 "Peter's Witness to the Resurrection")), is the irrefutable proof that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the Son of God declared with power by His resurrection ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). His victory over death and decay is not merely a historical event but the foundation of Christian hope, making Him the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "Christ as the Firstfruits")), guaranteeing the future resurrection and eternal life for all who believe in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 2:27

Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Acts 2:31

He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

Acts 13:35

Wherefore he saith also in another [psalm], Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Acts 13:38

Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Psalms 49:15

¶ But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

Revelation 1:18

[I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Revelation 20:13

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.