Psalm 16:7

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

 

I will praise the Lord. who counsels me;

even at night my heart instructs me. Psalm 16:7 (NIV)

 

Praise – bless, kneel down to, boast about

Lord – Yahweh, God’s proper name

Counsels – advises

Heart – reins, control of self; seat of emotion and affection, innermost being

Instructs – teaches me what is right; educates me

 

In this verse, David is expressing his appreciation for the way God leads him and guides him in many different areas..

He is saying God is so good to him that even at night when he is sleeping, God is still working on his heart about things and helping him to know what is right.

 

David knew something very important.

He knew it’s not just during a dedicated prayer time that the Lord counsels us.

As we go along in life He helps us, prompts us, guides us, and educates us.

At all times the Lord is there, ready with wisdom and knowledge, ready to counsel us about any and every thing we might need His help with.

 

I see this a lot in my own life.

I’ll see a verse or subject on several social media posts/sites.

Then, someone will mention it or I will hear it on the radio.

It will come up in my Bible devotions.

Every time that happens it is either in reference to something I am praying about or else something that is coming up in my life the Lord wants to talk to me about.

Whichever it is, it’s always something relevant to my current situation.

It might not be obvious what the connection is, but if I will stop, say a prayer, and look at what I am hearing, the relevance quickly becomes clear.

When I see these patterns it’s not because I am looking for signs.

It is because God is leading and guiding me.

He is showing me the answers I need.

 

His counsel is not limited to what I see and hear as I go about my day.

Sometimes I will pray about something and wake up the next morning with fresh perspective, wisdom, or an idea.

During the night while I was sleeping His Holy Spirit was speaking to me.

Sometimes it is reminding me of Scripture I already know.

Sometimes it is telling me something new.

Sometimes it is a mixture of the two.

Whatever the combination, God’s Spirit is helping me.

This is what David meant when he said his heart counsels him in the night.

 

No matter what is happening in our lives God is always there, offering instruction and advice.

We can trust Him to always guide us on the right path.

I praise Him for His counsel and thank Him for His goodness and generosity in showing me how to live a life that is honoring and pleasing to Him, a life in which He can be glorified.

 

What about you?

Do you see God offering you counsel?

Are there times in your life you see a pattern of a subject coming up?

Do you pray and ask the Lord to help you understand what He might be trying to say to you?

Will you look around and see where He is speaking to you now?

 

 

 

You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory. Psalm 73:24 (NIV)

 

For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14 (NIV)

 

 

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, Old Testament, Scripture Study, Teaching | LEAVE A COMMENT

Psalm 16:5-6

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

 

Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup;

You have made my lot secure.

6The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:5-6 (NIV)

 

Lord – Yahweh – God’s proper name

Assigned – set aside for one particular person or purpose

Portion – ration, serving, measurement

Cup – container used to hold something together

Lot – portion, position, path of life

Secure – keep, hold tight, make sure

Boundary – measuring line

Fallen – landed, ended up

Pleasant – agreeable, sweet, good

Inheritance – something received as a gifting, usually from one in line above you

 

In these verses David addresses God as Yahweh, which is God’s proper name.

He is not referring to any of God’s attributes or characteristics, he is talking directly to God.

David is acknowledging the Lord has chosen what his portion and lot in life will be.

He is also saying he realizes God has set the boundaries of his life and that they have fallen in a good way.

He is sure he will have a good life and future because of this.

Continue reading

Category: God, Old Testament, Scripture Study, Teaching, Trust | LEAVE A COMMENT

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.

Continue reading

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

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.

 

Continue reading

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

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.

Continue reading

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

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.

Continue reading

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.

Continue reading

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