By Jeremy Bell
Here is my motif study on Psalm 16 combining groupings from my motif analysis. I have taken these groupings of the Psalm and put them together. So, the entirety of the Psalm will is written, but these groupings will present the text in a different sequence.
This Psalm starts by stating it is a poem by David. Poetry in modern society is often identified when a rhyme is heard. Rhyming is not necessarily poetry, but it is a modern indication. In ancient Hebrew this was not the case. While the specific art and craft of ancient Hebrew poetry has been lost, it is known to rest heavily on rhythm and beat. It is appropriate to relate this to a drumbeat.
Drumming
A drum keeps time, it is very structured. A drum may add flourishes and fills but these are all done within the structure of time. As sacred scripture I’m sure a lot of drum related sounds that come to the modern mind might be classical or operatic in nature. But it would be just as appropriate to consider hip hop beats or funk rhythms. Drums provide a drive; the ticking of time provides energy and motion; the fundamental of rhythm and beat. Further complicating ancient Hebrew poetry is translation. Translation is crucial to deliver Gods’ word to the nations, but in so doing, whatever rhythm was produced in the lyrics is lost. Perhaps rap is the most appropriate genre as it is the definition of rhythmical vocalization.
In my analysis, I discover Psalm 16 is in Verse Bridge form. A verse is one idea that still has a breakdown of pattern, but those patterns are contained in one idea. A bridge is a link to something. That something may be the next idea, a refrain, or space to contemplate what was just expressed. A bridge takes an idea and extends it. I have identified 4 distinct sections, or elements that comprise the motif groupings. These sections are much like forms of poetry, each related, but distributed in a pattern throughout the Psalm.
When I write for Visualization, my goal is to highlight the patterns and intent and less so on strict translation. I hope it gives fresh encouragement, but I strongly recommend the Psalm to be read as is for proper understanding.
[ Psalm 16 ]
Regrouped and modified for clarification
A Poem by David.
Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you.
My soul, you have said to Yahweh, “You are my Lord.
I will bless Yahweh, who has given me counsel.
Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.
For you will not leave my soul in Sheol,
neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption.
Apart from you I have no good thing.”
As for the saints who are in the earth,
they are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight.
I have set Yahweh always before me.
Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices.
My body shall also dwell in safety.
You will show me the path of life.
In your presence is fullness of joy.
In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.
Their sorrows shall be multiplied who give gifts to another god.
Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
nor take their names on my lips.
Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup.
You made my lot secure.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places.
Yes, I have a good inheritance.
Rhythm and Beat Poems are rhythmic
Rhythm and Beat poems are full of rhythm and beat. They also express emotion and beg the reader for empathy. Whatever rhythm and beat comes to mind as a Psalm is read silently, there is synchronization to the heartbeat. David’s’ heart written in structure on paper to be shared with the reader. The readers heart empathizes in subjective ways. Not all parts of life are objective facts to be analyzed. That does not make them less real or important.
Sometimes we don’t know how to pray. When we have the holy spirit living inside us, that’s ok because he will pray on our behalf with groanings too deep for words. Sometimes all we have is the rhythm and beat of our heart, and the spirit will empathize and perfectly talk with God on our behalf. Other gods don’t offer this and following them will never deliver from sorrow. Sorrow may depart for a moment, but it will quickly return. Though sorrows enter the life of anyone who follows the living God, they are but a moment. The living God, known through Jesus Christ, in the power of the holy spirit, delivers from sorrow even in the midst of death. Joy in the deepest regions of the heart, joy in the heartbeat, is more than happy moments. It is rhythm and beat; it is eternal truth; it is Jesus. Believing in Jesus brings eternal life and in fact is The Nature of Joy.
Resources and Notes
All scripture in this article is from the WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE (WEB). The World English Bible (WEB) is a Public Domain (no copyright) Modern English translation of the Holy Bible. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version of the Holy Bible first published in 1901, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament.
For more related to this blog, check out my post on Practical Steps to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
This is a reliable translation, but it is always good to read other translations as well. Biblegateway.com has a multitude of translations to read from. It is a great resource.
Another great resource is Biblehub.com. There are multiple translations, commentaries, and so much more. Great research can be done on this platform.
One more I use regularly is Gotquestions.org. This is a great site to answer questions and find threads of related questions.
There are many resources. The key is that God wants relationship directly with you, the individual. His primary source for revealing who He is and growing in intimacy is His word, the scriptures. Don’t just read for instruction. Analyze and read for understanding. Explore, ask questions, and be transformed in Jesus every moment you possibly can. There is no dispute this is a key desire of God. People are brough to the Father, in the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit. This… This is the Nature of Joy.
Jeremy is an author, musician, and business intelligence manager. His mission is to equip and encourage those in Jeremy is an author, musician, and business intelligence manager. His mission is to equip and encourage those in Christ, to equip and encourage others in Christ. Jesus, Christ, is the Nature of Joy and melody of the heart. Jeremy unites business analytics (business intelligence), songs, and Scripture for Christian living in the power of the Holy Spirit.