Psalms 16:2

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

O my soul, thou hast said {H559} unto the LORD {H3068}, Thou art my Lord {H136}: my goodness {H2896} extendeth not to thee;

I said to ADONAI, "You are my Lord; I have nothing good outside of you."

I said to the LORD, โ€œYou are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.โ€

O my soul, thou hast said unto Jehovah, Thou art my Lord: I have no good beyond thee.

Commentary

Psalms 16:2 (KJV) presents a profound declaration of faith and humility from David, capturing the essence of true worship and understanding of God's nature.

Context of Psalms 16:2

Psalm 16 is a "Michtam of David," often interpreted as a "golden psalm" or a psalm of lasting significance. It is a prayer of trust and refuge, where David expresses his unwavering confidence in the LORD amidst life's challenges. The psalm beautifully weaves together themes of dependence on God, the joy found in His presence, and a prophetic glimpse of the Messiah's resurrection, making it a foundational text for understanding both David's personal faith and broader theological truths.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Declaration of Divine Sovereignty: The opening phrase, "O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord," is a powerful affirmation. David's soul addresses God, acknowledging Him as both YHWH (the covenant God) and Adonai (his sovereign Master). This dual address emphasizes a personal, intimate relationship coupled with a recognition of God's absolute authority and ownership. Itโ€™s a willing submission to Godโ€™s will.
  • Human Humility and God's Self-Sufficiency: The pivotal statement, "my goodness extendeth not to thee," reveals a deep understanding of God's nature. It means that any goodness, benefit, or advantage the psalmist possesses or performs does not add to God's inherent perfection, glory, or well-being. God is not dependent on humanity for anything. This concept highlights God's absolute self-sufficiency and completeness. Human righteousness or acts of devotion do not make God "better" or more glorious; they are responses to His existing glory and grace.
  • God as the Source of All Good: Implicit in this verse is the truth that whatever "goodness" David possesses originates from God Himself. We cannot bestow goodness upon God; rather, every good and perfect gift comes from Him. This perspective cultivates profound humility and gratitude.

Linguistic Insights

  • The distinction between "the LORD" (Hebrew: ื™ื”ื•ื”, YHWH) and "my Lord" (Hebrew: ืึฒื“ึนื ึธื™, Adonai) is significant. YHWH is God's personal, covenant name, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. Adonai signifies master or sovereign, highlighting His authority over the psalmist.
  • The Hebrew word for "goodness" is tov (ื˜ื•ึนื‘). While it can mean moral goodness, in this context, it carries the sense of advantage, benefit, or prosperity. The phrase "extendeth not to thee" (literally, "is not upon you") conveys that God does not gain or benefit from human goodness.

Practical Application

Psalms 16:2 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  • Cultivate Humility: Recognize that our good deeds, talents, or achievements do not add to God's glory or make Him more complete. They are simply responses to His grace and opportunities to reflect His character.
  • Embrace Dependence: Understand that true life and goodness flow from God to us, not the other way around. This fosters a spirit of reliance on Him for everything.
  • Worship in Truth: Our worship should stem from a profound understanding of who God isโ€”self-sufficient, glorious, and the ultimate source of all goodโ€”rather than a belief that our actions somehow "help" or "serve" Him out of His need.

This verse encourages us to declare God as our sovereign Lord, not out of obligation, but from a heart that understands and delights in His independent, perfect, and all-encompassing goodness.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 73:25

    Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee.

  • Psalms 31:14

    But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou [art] my God.

  • Psalms 89:26

    He shall cry unto me, Thou [art] my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

  • Job 22:2

    Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?

  • Job 22:3

    [Is it] any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or [is it] gain [to him], that thou makest thy ways perfect?

  • Psalms 91:2

    I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

  • Psalms 27:8

    [When thou saidst], Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.