Why read Psalm 16?
Psalm 16 is a prayer for protection and integrity in times of trial. The psalmist asks to be kept as the apple of God's eye and sheltered under His wings, while seeking to live without deceit.
You can read this psalm when its themes speak to your circumstances, or as part of your regular reading of the Psalter. This explanation draws on the text itself; the psalm is not reserved for one particular need.
"Hear, O Lord, my righteousness; give heed..." — so begins Psalm 16, fifteen verses from the Second Kathisma. The Psalter is read in the Orthodox Church at every service, and this psalm has its own place in the order of prayer.
The text of Psalm 16
1. Hear, O Lord, my righteousness; give heed unto my supplication; hear my prayer, from lips without guile.
2. From Thy presence let my judgement come forth; let mine eyes behold the things that are right.
3. Thou hast proved mine heart, Thou hast visited it in the night; Thou hast tried me with fire, and unrighteousness hath not been found in me.
4. That my mouth may not speak the works of men; for the sake of the words of Thy lips have I kept hard ways.
5. Make straight my steps in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
6. I have cried, for Thou hast heard me, O God; bow down Thine ear unto me and hear my words.
7. Wonderful are Thy mercies, Thou that savest them that hope in Thee from such as rise up against Thy right hand.
8. Keep me, O Lord, as the apple of Thine eye; in the shelter of Thy wings shelter me,
9. From the face of the ungodly that afflict me. Mine enemies have compassed my soul;
10. They have shut up their hearts with fatness, their mouth hath spoken pride.
11. Casting me out now they have surrounded me; they have set their eyes to cast me down to the ground.
12. They have laid hold of me like a lion ready for prey, like a young lion dwelling in secret places.
13. Arise, O Lord, prevent them, cause them to stumble! Deliver my soul from the ungodly, with Thy sword;
14. From men of this world, whose portion is in this life; for their belly is filled with Thy good things; their children are satisfied, and they have left the remnants to their babes.
15. But as for me, in righteousness shall I behold Thy face; I shall be satisfied when Thy glory shall appear.
When Psalm 16 is read
- It belongs to the Second Kathisma and is read in the course of the Psalter at the services; the faithful read it during fasts and in times of need.
- At the end of each psalm, the tradition adds: "Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen."
Neighbouring psalms
Read also
The numbering follows the Orthodox Psalter (Septuagint). The same psalm may have a different number in other Bible editions.
