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16 [1] **An instruction**** by David. Almighty, protect me, for I take refuge in You. **
[2] **You, **my soul,** said to the Lord: You are my Lord. I have no goodness but from You.** The literal meaning of this last phrase is “My goodness is not upon You,” an obscure expression. It could mean the following: It is not incumbent upon You to bestow goodness on me. That is, I cannot consider myself virtuous and deserving of reward from You for having chosen to cling to You, for the goodness You have already bestowed upon me is boundless.
[3] I join myself **with the holy of the earth, **righteous men, as opposed to the holy beings in heaven, the angels. **And the majestic ones, all my wishes are **to be counted **with them. **In contrast, the psalmist notes what he wishes to entirely avoid:
[4] **They are engaged in many **mundane **matters, they who have dealings with strange things, **literally, “other things,” meaning idols, which are often termed “other gods.” **I will not pour their libations of blood or **even **carry their names on my lips**. The psalmist desires to thoroughly distance himself from anything related to idol worship.
[5] Unlike them, **the Lord is my lot and my portion; You sustain my fate. **
[6] With regard to his choice of acknowledging God, the psalmist says: **The lots [*****h******·*****], **which can refer to portions of land, lottery slips, or the actual winnings of a lottery, **that have fallen to me are pleasant. **Since “You sustain my fate” (verse 5), I am assured that the portions that have fallen to me are the best.** My estate, **all that I have been fortunate to receive,** is lovely.**
[7] **I bless the Lord who counsels me, **whose guidance has prevented me from choosing the wrong path. **Even on nights when my thoughts are anguished, **I am continually focused on finding the right path, and I regret the poor choices I have made in the past.
[8] **I set the Lord before me always. He is on my right, **always coming to my assistance;** I will not stumble. **
[9] **Because of this, **God’s help,** my heart is glad. My being is joyous; my body rests securely.**
[10] **For You will not abandon me to the netherworld; You will not allow Your devoted one to see the grave. **
[11] **May You show me the path of life, **through which I may attain **abundance and joy in Your presence. Eternal pleasure is by Your right hand. **As you are my portion (verse 5), I forever merit the good and pleasure that result from being with you.
Version: The Steinsaltz Tanakh - English
Source: https://korenpub.com/collections/the-steinsaltz-tanakh/products/steinsaltz-tanakh
License: Copyright: Steinsaltz Center