Psalms 16:4

Their sorrows This, and not their idols(Targ. Symm. Jer.), is the right rendering. Cp. Psalms 32:10; 1 Timothy 6:10.

that hastenafter anothergod] The Heb. cannot be so rendered. Rightly R.V., that exchange the Lordfor another god. Cp. Psalms 106:20; and the exact parallel in Jeremiah 2:11. Less probable is R.V. marg., give gifts for; for though the verb is used of giving a dowry for a wife (Exodus 22:16), and marriage is a common figure for the relationship between God and His people, the wife in this figure always represents the people.

Their drink offerings of blood Variously explained of libations accompanying human sacrifices, or libations of blood offered in idolatrous rituals instead of oil and wine, or libations offered with blood-stained hands and therefore abominable (Isaiah 1:15; Isaiah 59:3); but probably meaning that their libations are as detestable as though they were composed of blood. Cp. Isaiah 66:3.

nor take up&c. R.V., nor take their names upon my lips. Not the idolaters" names, but the names of their gods, which are the expression of their religion. "In Semitic antiquity the very name of a god included a predication of his power, dignity, or virtues; so that even to utter such names as Baal and Molech, that is Lordand King, was an act of homage." (Robertson Smith.) Cp. Exodus 23:13; Hosea 2:17; Zechariah 13:2.