Psalms 16:7
I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
Psalms 16:7
Verse 7: “I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.” The psalmist attributes guidance to God, recognizing divine counsel as a present, waking influence and a source of inward knowledge (reins), a metaphor for inner yearnings and discernment. The reference to night seasons indicates times of quiet reflection, distress, or uncertainty when God speaks through inner prompting. The verse envisions a life guided by divine wisdom, not merely external instruction, and shows a dependence on God as mentor and guide.
This verse highlights the ongoing, intimate guidance of the Holy Spirit—though in the Old Testament context, it’s a Spirit-led sense of God’s instruction through conscience and revelation. It emphasizes that God is not distant but actively shaping a faithful life through counsel and inner conviction.
Practical steps:
- Create daily time for listening to God—prayer, Scripture, and stillness.
- Record moments when you sense God’s guidance, especially during “night seasons.”
- Let inner convictions guide decisions, aligning them with Scripture and wise counsel.
- Bless God publicly for His guidance; cultivate gratitude as a habit.
Cross-References: Psalm 32:8; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 3:5-6; John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12