Mazmur 16:6-7

16:6 It is as if I have been given fertile fields

or received a beautiful tract of land. ¹ 

16:7 I will praise ²  the Lord who ³  guides ⁴  me;

yes, during the night I reflect and learn. ⁵ 

[16:6]  ¹ tn Heb “measuring lines have fallen for me in pleasant [places]; yes, property [or “an inheritance”] is beautiful for me.” On the dative use of עַל, see BDB 758 s.v. II.8. Extending the metaphor used in v. 5, the psalmist compares the divine blessings he has received to a rich, beautiful tract of land that one might receive by allotment or inheritance.

[16:7]  ² tn Heb “bless,” that is, “proclaim as worthy of praise.”

[16:7]  ³ tn Or “because.”

[16:7]  ⁴ tn Or “counsels, advises.”

[16:7]  ⁵ tn Heb “yes, [during] nights my kidneys instruct [or “correct”] me.” The “kidneys” are viewed here as the seat of the psalmist’s moral character (see Ps 26:2). In the quiet darkness the Lord speaks to his inner being, as it were, and enables him to grow in moral understanding.