Psalms 16:4
Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.
Psalms 16:4
Verse 4 addresses the consequences of idolatry: “Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.” The psalmist contrasts the joy of the faithful with the sorrows of those who chase after other gods—cultic practices and blood offerings symbolic of pagan devotion. The line about taking up their names on the lips signals the therapeutic danger of endorsing idols through words and allegiance. It underscores that worship expresses allegiance; when one pursues idols, personal and communal grief multiplies as a natural consequence of spiritual infidelity.
This verse reinforces monotheism and the seriousness of covenant faithfulness. It underscores divine judgment on idolatry and the integrity of authentic worship. The imagery of blood offerings and the naming of idols on the lips clarifies how devotion translates into ritual action and speech, with real consequences. It foreshadows biblical calls to worship “in spirit and truth” and the exclusivity of the Lord in David’s theology but also points forward to prophetic warnings about idolatries that shape actions and the moral life.
Practical steps:
- Examine modern “idols”—things that demand ultimate trust (career, wealth, status, relationships)—and evaluate where you’ve aligned with them rather than God.
- Be mindful of what you publicly uphold in speech and ritual; avoid endorsing beliefs or practices that degrade God’s sovereignty.
- Re-center daily devotion on serving the Lord with integrity, distinguishing between legitimate expressions of faith and empty rituals.
Cross-References: Exodus 20:3-5; Deuteronomy 12:29-32; 1 Corinthians 10:14; Jeremiah 10:1-5; Acts 14:15