Psalms 16:10 Meaning and Explanation
“For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist declares confidence that God will not abandon him to death or allow him to experience permanent decay.
The Context of Psalms 16:10
The psalmist expresses confidence that God will not permanently abandon him to death.
What Does Psalms 16:10 Mean?
This verse expresses faith that God will not leave the psalmist's soul in sheol (the grave or the realm of the dead). The 'Holy One' refers to the psalmist himself—set apart by his covenant relationship with God. The psalmist trusts that God will not allow him to see corruption, meaning permanent decay or dissolution. This is not a claim of exemption from death itself, but confidence in God's ultimate preservation or restoration.
This hope reflects belief in God's power over death and commitment to those who trust Him. Early readers would have understood this as confidence in resurrection or restoration, and later Christian readers saw in these words a prophecy of Christ's resurrection—His soul not left in death and His flesh not corrupted.
Psalms 16:10 in the Original Language
sheol (שְׁאוֹל), 'hell' — the grave or the realm of the dead, not a place of torment but the state of death and separation from the land of the living.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 16:10
What does Psalms 16:10 mean?
The psalmist declares confidence that God will not abandon him to death or allow him to experience permanent decay.
What is the context of Psalms 16:10?
The psalmist expresses confidence that God will not permanently abandon him to death.