Bible Strands
Psalms 16:1
A Miktam of David. Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David, addressing God directly, asking for preservation on the basis of a refuge he has already taken. The superscript "Miktam" marks this as a set piece, likely for liturgical or memorial use.
The words — חָסִ֥יתִי (cha.Si.ti, H2620) is a Qal perfect: "I have taken refuge," a completed action, not a wish. The request for protection in v.1a hangs on this prior act of trust in v.1b.
The thread — The same logic recurs in Psalms 17:8 (keep me, hide me) and Psalms 31:23 (the LORD preserves the faithful), and Isaiah 26:3 ties perfect peace to the one who trusts in God.
Why it lands — The verse does not ask the reader to feel safe; it asks them to state where they have already placed their trust, because the protection requested is a consequence of that prior decision.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.
- Psalms 17:8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings
- Psalms 31:23 Love the LORD, all His saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but fully repays the arrogant.
- Psalms 56:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
- 2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
- Psalms 7:1 A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, a Benjamite. O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save me and deliver me from all my pursuers,
- Psalms 116:6 The LORD preserves the simplehearted; I was helpless, and He saved me.
- Psalms 60:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us!
- Psalms 84:12 O LORD of Hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You!
- Jeremiah 17:7 But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.