“The sorrows of those who take another god for themselves will multiply….” (v. 4).

Psalm 16 is a deeply encouraging prayer. Here, the Psalmist confesses his pure satisfaction in the presence of the LORD. He notes that God has been gracious, generous, and good. He finds comfort—even in life’s long nights—because he chooses the LORD’s ways. Literally, he “puts the LORD in front of him,” and he knows peace because of it.

He also manages to explain, in one brief sentence, why everything else for everyone else around us keeps getting worse.

The sorrows of those who take another god for themselves will multiply….

What happens when someone chooses to follow not-God? Who counsels them for goodness? Who shepherds them toward peace? Where do they end up?

When some other god is permitted to lead—the gods of self-gratification or self-satisfaction or self-determination—you only ever land in broken places. When you “let your heart instruct you” (v. 7), you plumb the depths of moral corruption. Sorrows aren’t solved in the self—they are multiplied!

You can see it all around you. May you never see it in you.

— Tyler