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Psalms 16:6

Psalms 16:6 in Multiple Translations

The lines of my boundary have fallen in pleasant places; surely my inheritance is delightful.

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly heritage.

Fair are the places marked out for me; I have a noble heritage.

The land divisions have worked out in my favor —my property is wonderful!

The lines are fallen vnto me in pleasant places: yea, I haue a faire heritage.

Lines have fallen to me in pleasant places, Yea, a beauteous inheritance [is] for me.

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance.

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places ; yes, I have a goodly heritage.

I have cried to thee, for thou, O God, hast heard me: O incline thy ear unto me, and hear my words.

Yahweh has given me a wonderful place in which to live; I am delighted with all the things that he has given me [MET].

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 16:6

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Psalms 16:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB חֲבָלִ֣ים נָֽפְלוּ לִ֭/י בַּ/נְּעִמִ֑ים אַף נַ֝חֲלָ֗ת שָֽׁפְרָ֥ה עָלָֽ/י
חֲבָלִ֣ים chebel H2256 cord N-cp
נָֽפְלוּ nâphal H5307 to fall V-Qal-Perf-3cp
לִ֭/י Prep | Suff
בַּ/נְּעִמִ֑ים nâʻîym H5273 pleasant Prep | Adj
אַף ʼaph H637 also DirObjM
נַ֝חֲלָ֗ת nachălâh H5159 inheritance N-fs
שָֽׁפְרָ֥ה shâphar H8231 to polish V-Qal-Perf-3fs
עָלָֽ/י ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 16:6

חֲבָלִ֣ים chebel H2256 "cord" N-cp
A cord or rope, also a measured area of land or a group of people tied together. In the Bible, it appears in books like Joshua and Psalms. It can also mean a company or region.
Definition: 1) a cord, rope, territory, band, company 1a) a rope, cord 1b) a measuring-cord or line 1c) a measured portion, lot, part, region 1d) a band or company § destruction
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: band, coast, company, cord, country, destruction, line, lot, pain, pang, portion, region, rope, snare, sorrow, tackling. See also: Deuteronomy 3:4; Psalms 119:61; Psalms 16:6.
נָֽפְלוּ nâphal H5307 "to fall" V-Qal-Perf-3cp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.
לִ֭/י "" Prep | Suff
בַּ/נְּעִמִ֑ים nâʻîym H5273 "pleasant" Prep | Adj
This Hebrew word describes something that sounds pleasant or sweet, like music. It is used in Psalm 100:5 to describe the pleasantness of God's works. The word also appears in other passages, such as 2 Samuel 23:1.
Definition: 1) pleasant, delightful, sweet, lovely, agreeable 1a) delightful 1b) lovely, beautiful (physical)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: pleasant(-ure), sweet. See also: 2 Samuel 1:23; Psalms 133:1; Psalms 16:6.
אַף ʼaph H637 "also" DirObjM
The Hebrew word for 'also' or 'addition', used to connect ideas or show a relationship between them, as seen in Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean 'though' or 'yet', indicating a contrast. This word is often used to add emphasis or provide more information.
Definition: conj (denoting addition, esp of something greater) 1) also, yea, though, so much the more adv 2) furthermore, indeed Aramaic equivalent: aph (אַף "also" H0638)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: also, [phrase] although, and (furthermore, yet), but, even, [phrase] how much less (more, rather than), moreover, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:1; Psalms 16:6; Psalms 16:7.
נַ֝חֲלָ֗ת nachălâh H5159 "inheritance" N-fs
Inheritance refers to something passed down, like property or a family heirloom, as seen in the Bible's discussion of dividing land among tribes in Joshua. It represents a person's share or possession. The concept is crucial in understanding biblical ideas of family and legacy.
Definition: 1) possession, property, inheritance, heritage 1a) property 1b) portion, share 1c) inheritance, portion
Usage: Occurs in 191 OT verses. KJV: heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession. Compare H5158 (נַחַל). See also: Genesis 31:14; Joshua 23:4; Psalms 2:8.
שָֽׁפְרָ֥ה shâphar H8231 "to polish" V-Qal-Perf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to polish or make something beautiful. It can also mean to be pleasing or fair. In the Bible, it is used to describe something that is goodly or attractive, often in a poetic sense.
Definition: 1) to be pleasing, be beautiful, be fair, be comely, be bright, glisten 1a) (Qal) to be beautiful Aramaic equivalent: she.phar (שְׁפַר "to acceptable" H8232)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] goodly. See also: Psalms 16:6.
עָלָֽ/י ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

Study Notes — Psalms 16:6

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Jeremiah 3:19 Then I said, ‘How I long to make you My sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of all the nations!’ I thought you would call Me ‘Father’ and never turn away from following Me.
2 Ephesians 1:18 I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,
3 Psalms 21:1–3 O LORD, the king rejoices in Your strength. How greatly he exults in Your salvation! You have granted his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah For You welcomed him with rich blessings; You placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
4 Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
5 Psalms 78:55 He drove out nations before them and apportioned their inheritance; He settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.
6 Romans 8:17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
7 1 Corinthians 3:21–23 Therefore, stop boasting in men. All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
8 Philippians 2:9–11 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
9 Revelation 3:21 To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
10 2 Timothy 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;

Psalms 16:6 Summary

This verse means that the psalmist is trusting in God to give them a wonderful life and inheritance, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:7-10, where God promises to give the Israelites a land filled with abundance. The lines of their boundary have fallen in pleasant places, which means they are experiencing God's blessings and joy in their life, similar to what is described in Matthew 7:7-8, where Jesus says to ask, seek, and knock, and the door will be opened. The psalmist is confident that their inheritance is delightful, and they are trusting in God's goodness, as in Romans 8:28, where it says all things work together for good for those who love Him. By trusting in God, we can experience His delight and joy in our own lives, as in Psalms 37:4, where it says to delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for the lines of my boundary to have fallen in pleasant places?

This phrase is a metaphor for the idea that God has given the psalmist a wonderful inheritance, as described in Psalms 16:6, where their life and circumstances are blessed and delightful, much like the promises given to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 8:7-10.

How can I know if my inheritance is delightful like the psalmist's?

To know if your inheritance is delightful, reflect on your relationship with God, as described in Psalms 37:4, where it says to delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart, and consider how He has worked in your life, as in Romans 8:28, where it says all things work together for good for those who love Him.

What role does God play in determining my boundary and inheritance?

According to Psalms 16:5-6, God is the one who makes our lot secure and gives us a delightful inheritance, as seen in the life of Jacob in Genesis 28:13-15, where God promises to be with him and bless him, and in Jeremiah 29:11, where God says He has plans to prosper us, not to harm us.

How can I cultivate a sense of trust and confidence in God's plan for my life, like the psalmist?

To cultivate trust and confidence in God's plan, spend time in prayer and meditation, as in Psalms 119:105, where it says God's word is a lamp to our feet, and in Philippians 4:6-7, where it says to bring our requests to God with thanksgiving, and He will give us peace that surpasses understanding.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways you have seen God work in your life to give you a delightful inheritance, and how can you thank Him for those blessings?
  2. How can you apply the principle of trusting in God's sovereignty, as seen in Psalms 16:6, to a difficult circumstance you are currently facing?
  3. In what ways can you delight yourself in the Lord, as described in Psalms 37:4, and trust that He will give you the desires of your heart?
  4. What are some boundaries or areas of your life where you need to trust God to work, and how can you surrender those to Him?
  5. How can you use the promise of Psalms 16:6 to encourage a friend or family member who is struggling with trust or doubt?

Gill's Exposition on Psalms 16:6

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant [places],.... The allusion is to the measuring of land by lines, and appropriating each part to the proper owners; and lines design the land that is measured

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 16:6

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. The lines are fallen unto me - an image from the cords with which they used to measure and allot lands.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 16:6

The lines, i.e. my portion, which was measured with lines. Compare . In pleasant places; in a sweet land flowing with milk and honey, and, above all, blessed with the presence, and knowledge, and service of the true God.

Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 16:6

Psalms 16:6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant [places]; yea, I have a goodly heritage.Ver. 6. The lines are fallen] In allusion to those lines wherewith they measured land when they parted it. See Deuteronomy 32:9 Psalms 105:11; Psalms 78:55 Acts 26:18 Ephesians 1:11. David, having God for his portion, could say with Jacob, I have all things, Genesis 33:11. Paul also saith the same, Philippians 4:18, and further telleth us that, having nothing, he yet possessed all things; for why, he had got the divine art of contentation, Philippians 4:12, and so could be either on the top of Jacob’ s ladder or at the bottom; he could sing either Placentia or Lachrymae, abound or be abased, &c. Sine Deo omnis copia est egestas (Bern.). In pleasant places] From the delectable orchard of the Leonine prison, said that Italian martyr, dating his letter. Tua praesentia, Domine, Laurentio ipsam craticulam dulcem fecit, said that ancient; Thy presence, Lord, made Laurence’ s gridiron pleasant to him. Quia in Deo est portio mea, est quasi in loco amaeno (R. David). Yea, I have a goodly heritage] I have as much (in content at least) as he who hath most. The bee is as well pleased with feeding on the dew, or sucking from a flower, as Behemoth that grazeth on the mountains. The lark when aloft seeth farther, with a little eye, than the ox on the ground with a greater. Atque suum tirilitirilitiritirlire cantat.

Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 16:6

(6) The lines are fallen unto me.—The allusion is to the “measuring cords” by which allotments of land were measured, and they are said to “fall” possibly because after the measurement the portions were distributed by “lot” (Joshua 17:5; Micah 2:5).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 16:6

Verse 6. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places] Here is an allusion to the ancient division of the land by lot among the Israelites, the breadth and length being ascertained by lines which were used in measuring. I have got a rich inheritance of immortal spirits; and I myself, as man, shall have a name above every name, and be raised to thy throne, on which I shall sit, and be admired in my saints to all eternity. I have a goodly heritage.] A Church, an innumerable multitude of saints, partakers of the Divine nature, and filled with all the fulness of God. And these shall dwell with me in the heaven of heavens to all eternity. The old Psalter: - Ver. 5. Dominus pars hereditatis mee et calicis mei, c. Trans. Lord es part of myn herytage and of my chalyce thow ert that sal restore myn herytage til me. Par. Lord the fader es part, that es, he es porcioun and mede of myn herytage; that es of haly men, qwam I weld in herytage. Other men cheses tham what tham lyst: my part es God, and he es part of my chalyce: that es, he es my copp of al my delyte and boor. Wereldys men drynkes the venemus lustes, and the drubly delytes of lychery and covatys: I in my halows sal drynk God; for thu ert fadyr that sal restore till me, that es, til my men, myn herytage, that thai lost in Adam: that es thu restores til tham the knawyng of my bryghthede. Ver. 6. Punes ceciderunt michi in preclaris, c. Trans. Strynges fel to me in ful bryght: for qwy, myn herytage is ful bryght til me. Par. Strynges, that er merkes of my possessioun, in thi bryghtnes, fel als with cutte als the possessioun of prestes and dekens in the alde law, was God; for qwy myn herytage, that es haly men es bryght til me of that seme layth and aute castyng til some of the werld, til me thai er fairer and bryght.

Cambridge Bible on Psalms 16:6

6. The lines &c.] Portions of land measured by line and distributed by lot. The language is still figurative. Jehovah is to him as the choicest of possessions in the goodly land. (Psalms 16:11; Psalms 27:4; Psalms 90:17; Proverbs 3:17; Jeremiah 3:19.) Yea &c.] The peculiar phrase in the original expresses his conscious sense of the beauty of his heritage.

Barnes' Notes on Psalms 16:6

The lines - The word used here refers to the “lines” employed in measuring and dividing land, Amos 7:17; 2 Samuel 8:2.

Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 16:6

6. This is an amplification of Psa 16:5. Lines—Cords or chains by which land was measured. Sometimes, by metonymy, the land itself was thus called because measured by line.

Sermons on Psalms 16:6

SermonDescription
Philip Rudolph The True Blessedness of the Child of God by Philip Rudolph In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jesus walking on water and how it relates to facing storms and difficulties in life. The disciples were afraid when they saw Jes
Keith Daniel Taranaki Bible Conference January 19-2012 - 2 of 5 Sermons by Keith Daniel In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a doll that was buried and how it grew into the shape of the doll. He uses this story to emphasize the message that sin will event
James K. Boswell Studies in Psalm 16:-05 by James K. Boswell In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a working knowledge of the word of God. He encourages listeners to spend time studying and understanding the scriptu
Robert Murray M'Cheyne The True Pleasantness of being... by Robert Murray M'Cheyne Robert Murray M'Cheyne emphasizes the true pleasantness of being a child of God, contrasting the fleeting and false pleasures of the unconverted with the enduring joy found in Chri
J.C. Ryle Freedom by J.C. Ryle J.C. Ryle emphasizes the profound nature of true freedom, which transcends political and social liberties, focusing instead on the spiritual freedom that comes from Christ. He outl
Robert Murray M'Cheyne Adoption by Robert Murray M'Cheyne Robert Murray M'Cheyne emphasizes the profound love of God in the doctrine of adoption, explaining that by nature, we are children of Satan, but through God's will and mercy, we ca
Thomas Bradbury Predestination by Thomas Bradbury Thomas Bradbury preaches on the unfailing mercy and inexhaustible patience of God towards His wayward children, highlighting His gracious dealings in restoring, saving, and deliver

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