Psalm 16:3-4

(Today’s post is part of a series on Psalm 16. You can find all the posts on my Psalm 16 page.)

 

As for the saints who are in the land,

They are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight;

4The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods.

I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.  Psalm 16:3-4 (NIV)

 

Saints – holy ones; those who follow after God

Glorious – good, noble, honorable, excellent

Delight – desired, valuable thing, acceptable

Sorrows – pain, wounds, hardships, struggles

Libations – offerings, like an offering to a god

Take Up – accept, bear (the weight of), deal with, tolerate

Names – name, by implication honor, authority, character

 

In these two verses David is contrasting the two types of people.

Those who are holy and follow after God and those who don’t.

He says he delights in those who are holy and follow God but he wants nothing to do with those who chase after other gods.

 

David tells us the ones who follow after God are noble and honorable.

They are someone to value and accept.

 

David warns that those who run after other gods will see their sorrows increase because they aren’t following God.

Because God is not their God He won’t protect them from bad things that might happen nor from their own poor choices.

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Psalm 16:2

(Today’s post is part of a series on Psalm 16. You can find all the posts on my Psalm 16 page.)

 

I say to the Lord,

“You are my Lord;

Apart from You I have no good thing.”  Psalm 16:2 (NIV)

 

Master – owner of a slave or servant; king or ruler over another. This title is given to someone who has absolute authority over another.

 

In this passage, the word Lord is used twice.

The first time it is translated from Yahweh, which is God’s proper name.

The second time it is translated from Adonai, which means Master.

By using these two different words, David is telling God that he recognizes that He (Yahweh) is his Master (Adonai).

He is declaring loyalty to God and recognizing God as ruler over him.

David knew serving God and allowing God to rule over him and his life is what would bring him true happiness.

He knew that allowing God to be his Master meant he could trust God to show him what to do and how to live his life in a way that was not only best for him in the long run, but was also honoring and pleasing to God.

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Psalm 16:1

(Today’s post is part of a series on Psalm 16. You can find all the posts on my Psalm 16 page.)

 

Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge. Psalm 16:1 (NIV)

 

Safe – guarded, protected, attended to – in some Bible versions this word is translated Preserve

Refuge – flee to for protection, confide in, have hope in, have trust in, to hide away in – in some Bible versions this word is translated Trust

 

This verse is a request for protection.

David is asking God to protect him and declaring he trusts Him for that protection..

David tells God he is seeking refuge in Him.

 

To take refuge in God means we are clinging to Him.

We see Him as our shelter, a safe place to hide.

When we take refuge in God, we choose to trust Him and His love for us.

We flee to Him for protection, even when nothing is chasing us.

We make staying very close to Him part of our everyday life.

We are trusting Him to be a fortress we can safely stay in that will shield us from harm.

 

David also asks God to keep him safe.

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Psalm 16 Series

I’m writing a series on Psalm 16.

Twice a week I’ll share a verse and what I’m learning about it.

I’ll also tag my Psalm 16 page.

It contains all the posts I’ve written for Psalm 16.

I hope you will follow along with me.

 

A few things to know about Psalm 16:

Written by King David around 1000 B.C., it is a Praise Psalm.

David focuses on his commitment to God and states he knows he needs God and that turning from Him creates sorrows.

He goes on to say he knows God has blessed him with a good life and that it is God that determines our lot in life.

David concludes with praise for God because he knows God will protect and take care of him for all of his life.

 

Psalm 16 is also called a miktam of David.

No one knows what the word miktam actually means.

Only six Psalms are labeled this way: Psalms 16, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60.

 

Psalm 16 is also called a Messianic* psalm because it contains prophecy about the coming Savior.

In verse 10 it references Jesus as the Holy One and states He will not see decay.

 

If you are new to reading Scripture or just starting to dive deep, this is a good psalm to start with.

I hope you will read Psalm 16 and then come back and share with me what you are learning.

 

I’d love to hear your feedback.

Please feel free to comment or email me.

Karen

 

 

*Messianic – describing or relating to a Messiah. In Christianity, it refers specifically to Jesus Christ See John 4:25-26.

 

To see all the posts I’ve shared in this series, please visit my Psalm 16 page.

 

To learn more about what a Psalm is, please visit my post ,What is the Book of Psalms?

 

 

 

Category: God, Lesson Outline, Old Testament, Scripture Study | LEAVE A COMMENT

If You Are Struggling…

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, I want you to know:

I know things seem impossibly hard.

You are not alone.

There is help.

At the bottom of this page is a list of resources.

I hope you will contact one of them..

 

If you are not comfortable reaching out to them, that’s okay.

You can reach out to me.

I’m here.

I’m listening.

Reach out.

To me, to a friend, to a religious leader.

I know there seems no way, but God has a plan. We just haven’t seen it yet.

Hang around so we can find that plan together.

You’ve got this.

I believe in you.

 

I hope you will use one of the resources below and reach out to them.

 

Call or text 988. Volunteers are standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are waiting to hear from you. Available in English or Spanish.

They also have a website where you can chat. The website also has resources for deaf/hard of hearing people.

Their website is 988 Lifeline

 

Military members and veterans have unique struggles. A hotline has been set up for anyone with military experience, active, reserve, or retired. Call 988 then press 1. You can also text 838255 to contact someone who understands. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can find out more or chat with someone by visiting their website, called, Veterans Crisis Line

This resource is open to all branches of the military, including Coast Guard and Space Force.

 

Another good resource is the Crisis Textline. Text them at 741741 or visit their website, You can reach out to them anytime day or night by clicking here…. Crisis Textline. They also have resources for anxiety, bullying, depression, grief, and other needs.

 

The Trevor Project provides text, chat, and phone call support to those who identify as LGBTQ+. They can be found here – The Trevor Project They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Whichever resource you choose, I hope you will reach out to someone and get the support you need and remember:

God loves you and so do I.

.

 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

 

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

 

 

 

Category: Addiction, Family, God, Life | LEAVE A COMMENT

For Those Who Love Them

(I originally wrote this piece in 2018 but wasn’t brave enough to post it then. Some of the cultural references may be dated, but the message still holds true.)

 

Lately there have been a lot of suicides.

Kate Spade. Anthony Bourdain. The kid across town.

No matter who you are, you have probably known of someone who took their own life.

What has come over this world?

Why are all these people choosing to leave by their own hand?

 

For most of them, it’s lack of hope.

When you ask suicide survivors why they did it, a majority of them will tell you they thought there was no hope.

None.

 

We need to bring back hope.

Hope for help, peace, understanding, and acceptance.

Hope that is only found in God, through Christ alone.

We must remind them of God’s faithfulness; encourage them to turn to Him.

 

Of course, this must be done gently.

They’re already beat down by their own ugly thoughts.

No need to beat them over the head with a Bible.

By gently sharing the truth of God’s love and reminding them the Creator of the Universe loves them and wants to help them we can begin to point them to the only place real hope exists – in Christ.

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Category: Death, Faith, God, Jesus, Trust, Truth | LEAVE A COMMENT

I Didn’t See It Coming

September is Suicide Prevention month so I am focusing on that topic for a few weeks. I originally wrote this post back in 2018 not long after I lost a dear friend. I’m bringing it back now because I feel led to share it. It originally appeared on a previous blog I had. That blog no longer exists.

 

 

All week I’ve been avoiding writing this post.

All week I’ve felt it rolling around in me.

So, here goes.

It’s Suicide Prevention week. The time we set aside to raise awareness and encourage people not to leave.

It’s a subject that has always been near to me. Not because I’ve ever been tempted but because it’s a subject the Lord has given me a heart for.

This year is especially hard —

On June 29, 2015 I lost the best friend I ever had.

He died of a self-inflicted gun shot wound.

Suicide.

I never saw the signs.

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Category: Death, Faith, God, Life | LEAVE A COMMENT

Suicide Prevention Month

September is Suicide Prevention Month and with it comes this important reminder from my heart.

You are important.

You matter.

You are loved. By me. By God.

Please stay.

Please don’t leave.

This world is so much better with you in it.

 

I know it might be hard to see or believe, but you are not alone.

There are people out there who would love to hear from you.

I hope you will use one of the resources below to reach out to them.

 

Call or text 988. Volunteers are standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are waiting to hear from you. Available in English or Spanish.

They also have a website where you can chat. The website also has resources for deaf/hard of hearing people.

Their website is 988 Lifeline

 

Military members and veterans have unique struggles. A hotline has been set up for anyone with military experience, active, reserve, or retired. Call 988 then press 1. You can also text 838255 to contact someone who understands. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can find out more or chat with someone by visiting their website, called, Veterans Crisis Line

This resource is open to all branches of the military, including Coast Guard and Space Force.

 

Another good resource is the Crisis Textline. Text them at 741741 or visit their website, You can reach out to them anytime day or night by clicking here…. Crisis Textline. They also have resources for anxiety, bullying, depression, grief, and other needs.

 

The Trevor Project provides text, chat, and phone call support to those who identify as LGBTQ+. They can be found here – The Trevor Project They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Whichever resource you choose, I hope you will reach out to someone and get the support you need and remember:

The Lord loves you and so do I.

.

 

 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

 

 

 

Category: Death, Faith, Life | LEAVE A COMMENT

Index Cards

When I first started trying to memorize Scripture I used index cards.

The great thing about these cards is you can write the verse you want to learn on a card and carry it around with you so you can look at it throughout the day.

You can also tape a copy of it to the bathroom mirror, the edge of your computer monitor, or some other handy place where you will see it.

The more you read it and look at it the more familiar it will be.

This makes it easier to learn and memorize.

 

 

You might also want to date the cards, jot down on the back of the card anything you come across in your reading or as you go about your day that speaks to you about the verse or shows the verse to be true.

You can also write down prayers about the verse – prayers to better live out the verse, for wisdom to obey it, and/or whatever else is appropriate for that verse.

 

Once you are familiar with the verse and ready to move on to the next verse, you can file it and save it for later.

After a while, you can pull out the cards and read them in the order you wrote them.

You might be surprised to see the story they tell and how they show that God was with you all along, guiding you in that season.

 

If you are trying to memorize Scripture I hope you will try index cards and see if they work for you!

 

 

Want to know more about how to pray Bible verses? Check out my post, Praying Scripture

 

 

 

Category: God, Journaling, Life, Scripture Study, Uncategorized | LEAVE A COMMENT

She’s My Honeybunch

She’s 92 and likes to call me Honeybunch.

Seeing her walk in my office always makes me smile.

She’s been getting a little slower the last few months but she’s still going.

It tickles me that the first time she brought me a box of candy for Christmas she apologized for not bringing me her usual buttermilk pie, stating, “Now that I’m 90, my hips just don’t like standing the way they used to.”

 

What seems like such a little thing as giving someone candy is actually something huge in disguise.

She is not just trying to soothe my sweet tooth. She is showing me she cares about me.
By giving me that candy she is telling me I matter to her. I am important in her eyes.

 

She’s done other things for me, too.

Phone calls now and then just to say hi.

Cards mailed to my house that tell me she appreciates me.

Short visits to my office for no other reason than to check on me and see how I am.

All these seemingly small things are really big things because they are her way of showing the love of Christ to me just because she can.

 

I pray I’m reaching out to others so that someday when I’m slowed by age someone will look at me and appreciate the way I’ve sown love into their life the way she’s sowing love into mine.

 

She’s an inspiration and a shining example of how to love others – humbly, generously, and without any expectation of anything in return.

Just spilling the over-pouring of Christ’s love for her onto others.

I pray I will love Jesus enough that my cup, too, will overflow on to others and they will see the love Christ has for them through me.

Just like I see it through my Honeybunch.

 

 

 

Category: Family, God, Life, Teaching | LEAVE A COMMENT