Psalms 16:10

Once more the translation must be revised;

For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol;

Neither wilt thou suffer thy beloved one to see the pit.

Jehovah will not surrender him to the unseen world, which is like some monster gaping for its prey. He can plead, as one of Jehovah's beloved ones(chasîd, see on Psalms 4:3, and Appendix, Note I) for the exercise of His lovingkindness (Psalms 17:7). The text (Kthîbh) has thy loved ones(plur.), but the traditional reading (Qrç) thy loved one(sing.) is supported by all the versions and required by the context.

The word shachath, rendered corruptionby LXX, Vulg., and Jerome, probably means the pit(R.V. marg.) i. e. the grave. -Pit" mustbe its meaning in many passages (e.g. Psalms 7:15; Psalms 30:9; Proverbs 26:27), and maybe its meaning always. Shachathmight be derived from a root meaning to destray(not properly to decay), but it is unnecessary to assume that the same form has two derivations and senses. -To see the pit" (Psalms 49:9) = -to see (i. e. experience) death," Psalms 89:48.