Psalms 16:2

With the Hebrew beneath

Psalms 16:2, word by word

You have saidאָמַרְתְּamart

say

To say with the mouth to someone what one thinks or wants, or to answer him.

Where else “amart” appears

to YHWHיהוָהyhva

YHWH

The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.

Where else “yhva” appears

are Adonaiאֲדֹנָadona

Adonai, Lord

"Adonai": "my Lord", said only to God. It is a title of respect that acknowledges his authority. It is not another god besides YHWH: often it goes with his name, "Adonai YHWH", Lord YHWH.

Where else “adona” appears

my goodטוֹבָתִtovati

good

What is as it should be and gives delight: sound, useful, beautiful or valuable.

Where else “tovati” appears

is notבַּלbal

not

Not: a negative proper to Hebrew poetry; it denies strongly ("it will not be moved").

Where else “bal” appears

Translation note

“You have said”: in Hebrew the form is feminine; it can be understood that the psalmist speaks to himself, to his soul (a feminine word in Hebrew). The same Hebrew letters can also be read “I have said.” The last sentence is difficult in Hebrew; literally, “my good not upon you.”

The context