Psalm 16 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 16:3, 16:4
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 16
The allotted portion and the path of life
Verse 16:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[16:1] A Miktam of David.
Keep me, God, for I have taken refuge in You.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[15:1] An inscription of David.
Guard me, Lord, for I have hoped in You.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew retains the uncertain technical title Miktam; Greek names an inscription. Hebrew addresses God, Greek Lord. Rabbinic: Rashi on 16:1 regards Miktam as a kind of musical form and also offers a crown interpretation. [RASHI-PS16]
Verse 16:2 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[16:2] You have said to YHWH, “You are my Lord;
my good is no obligation upon You.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[15:2] I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord,
for You have no need of my good things.”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew has a feminine singular you have said; Greek has I said. The difficult Hebrew final clause is provisionally read as denying that God owes the speaker benefits; apart from You I have no good is another interpretation. Greek directly denies God’s need of the speaker’s goods. Rabbinic: Rashi on 16:2 addresses Israel, alternatively the speaker’s soul, and understands God’s benefits as unowed. [RASHI-PS16]
Verse 16:3 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[16:3] As for the holy ones who are in the land,
they are the majestic ones; all my delight is in them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[15:3] For the holy ones who are in His land,
He made all His purposes wonderful among them.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew describes the speaker’s delight in the holy and majestic ones; Greek describes God’s marvelous purposes among the holy ones and expressly makes the land His. The compressed Hebrew syntax is provisional; Greek is not imported to resolve it. Rabbinic: Rashi on 16:3 interprets the holy ones as faithful people buried in the earth. [RASHI-PS16]
Verse 16:4 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[16:4] Their sorrows multiply, those who hasten after another;
I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
nor take their names upon my lips.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[15:4] Their weaknesses multiplied;
after these things they hurried.
I will certainly not gather their gatherings of bloodshed,
nor will I remember their names through my lips.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew links multiplying sorrows with hastening after another and rejects blood libations; Greek has weaknesses, a temporal afterward, and a refusal to gather blood-associated assemblies. No deity is added to either running text. Rabbinic: Rashi on 16:4 understands the Hebrew as rejection of foreign worship. [RASHI-PS16]
Verse 16:5 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[16:5] YHWH is my allotted portion and my cup;
You uphold my lot.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[15:5] The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You are the One who restores my inheritance to me.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Both name God as portion and cup; Hebrew speaks of upholding a lot, Greek of restoring an inheritance.
Verse 16:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[16:6] The measuring lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, my inheritance is beautiful to me.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[15:6] Measuring cords fell for me among the best places;
indeed, my inheritance is the best for me.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both use allotted-land imagery; Hebrew emphasizes pleasantness and beauty, Greek excellence.
Verse 16:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[16:7] I will bless YHWH, who counseled me;
even at night my kidneys instruct me.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[15:7] I will bless the Lord, who gave me understanding;
indeed, even until night my kidneys disciplined me.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The anatomical image of inward instruction is preserved. Hebrew nights and ongoing instruction differ from Greek until night and past discipline.
Verse 16:8 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[16:8] I have set YHWH before me always;
because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[15:8] I kept seeing the Lord before me continually,
because He is at my right hand, so that I may not be shaken.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew setting and Greek sustained seeing describe constant divine presence and stability. Rabbinic: Rashi on 16:8 relates this to keeping the fear of God before one’s eyes in all deeds. [RASHI-PS16]
Verse 16:9 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[16:9] Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my glory exulted;
even my flesh will dwell securely,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[15:9] Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue exulted;
indeed, even my flesh will dwell in hope,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew my glory differs from Greek my tongue, and security from hope. Neither image is replaced by its counterpart.
Verse 16:10 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[16:10] for You will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
nor let Your faithful one see the pit.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[15:10] for You will not abandon my soul to Hades,
nor let Your holy one see corruption.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew shahat is rendered pit and Greek diaphthora corruption; both promise preservation from death’s domain. The Hebrew singular follows the publisher’s displayed read form; Chabad’s page also identifies a written plural. [RASHI-PS16] Saints: In Acts 2:25–32 Peter quotes this Greek psalm sequence and applies non-abandonment and freedom from corruption to Jesus’ resurrection, distinguishing David’s death and burial. This is explicit apostolic interpretation. [SBL-ACTS-PS]
Verse 16:11 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[16:11] You will make known to me a path of life;
fullness of joys is in Your presence;
pleasures are at Your right hand forever.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[15:11] You made known to me ways of life;
You will fill me with gladness in Your presence;
pleasures are at Your right hand forever.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew promises a singular path and describes fullness of joys; Greek states that plural ways were made known and promises to fill the speaker. The closing εἰς τέλος is rendered forever in this promise of enduring joy; its lexical range also includes completion.