Can I say that I find that God working through his Word is truly an amazing thing? Here we have a psalm praising God. The psalmist begins by pleading with God for help and ends by proclaiming that he will “awaken the dawn” the songs of praise. Quite the transformation. Yet the one I’m referring to happened to me as I was preparing this episode. When I first…. Well, let’s first hear the psalm. Then we’ll chat about it. Also, before beginning, I am proud to say that this podcast is now sponsored b...
Jan 11, 2022•10 min•Ep. 85
Can I say that I find comfort in hearing of another person’s long journey into trust? I don’t know about you, but I only too well identify with the journey the psalmist shares with us here. It is one, which starts with head knowledge – knowing where he needs to be in his faith, knowing where he wants to be in it, and it ends with this knowledge becoming an essential part of his life. The “a-ha” moment, if you will. So, where do I see this? Well, let’s first hear the psalm. Then we’ll chat about ...
Jan 04, 2022•10 min•Ep. 84
Can I say that there are few things worse than a personal betrayal by a close friend? The pain can make it hard to think clearly or know how to respond. So would it surprise you that the Psalms contain an example of how to deal with this, the worship book of the Bible? How intriguing, turning betrayal into worship. This psalm is a treasure trove, yet before getting into it, let's first hear the psalm. Then we'll chat. Also, before beginning, I am proud to say that this podcast is now sponsored b...
Dec 28, 2021•16 min•Ep. 83
Can I just say, while reading this psalm, I was impressed with the sacredness of asking God for help? In the asking, which involves more than saying, “Hey God, I need this.” It also involves acknowledging the answer and offering thanks and praise for the answer received. What’s the importance of knowing this? Nice question. But before getting into it, let’s first hear the psalm. Then we’ll chat. Also, before beginning, I am proud to say that this podcast is now sponsored by our book, Psalms 1-72...
Dec 21, 2021•8 min•Ep. 82
Can I just say, that this psalm seems to have many layers to it? Specifically speaking, the phrase, “Those who say, there is no God,” can apply to 2 different sets of folks. The first is a straightforward application. Those who say there is no God are the people who simply want nothing to do with God. The second one is found just under the surface and it is, if possible, an even more tragic one. What if the irreligious unbeliever spoken of, is one we consider to be very religious? One who goes t...
Dec 14, 2021•10 min•Ep. 81
Can I just say, one of the most satisfying things I have ever experienced is being trusted by other people? An earned trust, given because of who I had proven myself to be. This is one of the things that this psalm, Psalm 52, brought to mind. And you know, thinking about it, the best example of this, that I know, comes from my grandfather. Well, before telling that story, let’s hear this psalm first, shall we; then we can chat about my granddad and how this story applies to this psalm. Also, I c...
Dec 07, 2021•9 min•Ep. 80
Can I just say, what an amazing God we have? One who shows us, step by step, how to be right with him? For that is what we have in this Psalm, 51, a presentation of a very vital step. Now, in this psalm, it is important to note…. Well, before going there, let’s hear this psalm first, shall we? Then we can chat. Also, I can officially say that this podcast is now sponsored by our book, Psalms 1-72, A Simple Not Shallow Presentation. It is the collection of the Psalms, as heard here on the Psalm T...
Nov 30, 2021•13 min•Ep. 79
Can I just say, I think one of the saddest things that will ever happen is when a very religious person, one who is absolutely sure he is dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s, doing everything he thinks needs to be done, actually meets Jesus and have him say, “You are, who? I don’t know you, goodbye.” (A paraphrase of Matthew 7:21-23 and 25:41-45 and I’ll reference a couple of other verses which speak of this, in the description of the episode). And this, mind you, is addressed to the ve...
Nov 23, 2021•13 min•Ep. 78
Can I just say, this Psalm seems to be a fleshing out of something Jesus says in Matthew 10:28? He says, to not be afraid of those who can only kill the body but who are not able to touch the soul. Now… well, before going any further, let’s hear this psalm first, shall we? Then we can chat further. Also, I have an exciting announcement, our book, the collection of these readings, is now available for your enjoyment. I’ll share more about that at the end of this episode. But, for now, my name is ...
Nov 16, 2021•13 min•Ep. 77
Can I just say, this Psalm seems to be the embodiment of what praising God looks like? Its placement here certainly makes it look like an answer to the call to praise God in our last reading (of Psalm 47). What a beautiful and very thorough offering of praise it is too. Now… well, before going any further, let’s hear this psalm first, shall we? Then we can chat further. Also, I have an exciting announcement, there is an actual release date for our collection of these readings. I’ll share that at...
Nov 09, 2021•11 min•Ep. 76
Can I just say that praise is more than just a word to use in a church service? I mean, I often hear the phrase, “Praise God” or “I give praise to God” while at a church service and am often left thinking, “Ok… and what is the praise you’re giving?” Now hear me out. If a friend, co-worker, or boss were to come up to you and say, “I want to praise you,” maybe expressed as “I want to tell you, good job,” but then say nothing else; are you completely satisfied with such statements? Or, are you, som...
Nov 02, 2021•10 min•Ep. 75
Can I just say that, once again, the Psalms have proven themselves to be a haven for creativity and eloquent expression? Used here for the telling of us why we need not fear the chaos and evil caused by others. The actual reason, to not fear, is stated in a fairly straightforward manner, God is our strongly proven help in our times of need. He is our refuge so we need not fear. It is after these simple statements that the creativity explodes across the page. Creativity that truly creates a palpa...
Oct 26, 2021•9 min•Ep. 74
Can I just say that the Psalms always seem to bring the heights of creativity and eloquent expression to bear in the worshiping of God? For example, here in this psalm, we find a poem that, on the surface, looks like one praising a king on his wedding day. Yet, under the surface, it is actually one praising the messiah and celebrating a believer’s relationship with him. This Messiah, according to the quoting of this Psalm in Hebrews chapter 1, is none other than Jesus. Which makes the believers ...
Oct 19, 2021•12 min•Ep. 73
Can I just say that it seems to never cease to amaze me just how much I find New Testament teaching here in the Psalms? Not word for word, but what is taught. For example, do you remember reading where Jesus says, in this world, we will have trouble, but to be of good cheer for he has overcome (John 16:33)? Anyway, this is what this Psalm brought to mind. For…. Well, let’s hear this psalm first, shall we? Then we can chat about this further. Also, I have an exciting announcement I’ll share at th...
Oct 12, 2021•13 min•Ep. 72
Can I just say that some things bear repeating? At least, the Psalmist seems to think so for he tells us once again how to have peace in midst of sorrow. It is by remembering who God is and what he has already done. Then trusting him to do so again. Trusting the one we know through remembering who he is. Well… let’s hear the psalm first, shall we? We’ll touch base afterwards. Oh, and there is an exciting announcement I’ll share at the end of this episode. So, for now, my name is Charles, Charles...
Oct 05, 2021•8 min•Ep. 71
Can I just say that, once again, one of the most amazing things in reading these psalms, is how they speak to me as if written with me in mind? Being at peace even in the exact middle of some rather unpeaceful situations. What an amazing experience. Just how is this done? Well… let’s first hear the psalm shall we. Then we can see if you agree or not. So, for now, my name is Charles, Charles Yerkes and this is Psalm Tuesday here on the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. This is a podcast for those who w...
Sep 28, 2021•9 min•Ep. 70
Can I just say that it is so easy to read this psalm, number 41, and simply think, “Ok, this is just another cry for help?” Yet…. Yet, by slowing down just a bit and letting this poem sink in; I find this to be a praise of certainty. Yes, even in his trying ordeal, the psalmist stays certain. Certain of his position with God and of God’s love for him. Oh, we could explore that for hours. But rather than that, let’s just hear the psalm, shall we? Now, my name is Charles, Charles Yerkes and this i...
Sep 21, 2021•7 min•Ep. 69
Ever hear that old saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?” This is what this Psalm brought to mind. Though, in truth, it is more like, “When life gives you lemons, remember who actually is making lemonade.” Now, can I just say… well, before we get going; let’s first hear the psalm, shall we? Which is Psalm 40. For now, my name is Charles, Charles Yerkes and this is Psalm Tuesday here on the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. This is a podcast for those who want a deeper faith and not an ag...
Sep 14, 2021•10 min•Ep. 68
Can I just say that I find this psalm to be most interesting, most interesting indeed? Ever think it best not to say anything about something only to have the matter consume your attention, to burn within so to speak? When it moves to the forefront of your mind and will not let you go? Well, in this psalm David starts out by telling us about one such of his experiences. He begins by saying that he was determined to keep his mouth shut. He was going to take the high road and wasn’t going to be gu...
Sep 07, 2021•10 min•Ep. 67
Can I just say that it never ceases to amaze me how I can be reading a Bible passage I have read many times before and I’ll see something I have never seen before? Like in this episode for instance. I mean, we all know that sin is a bad thing, right? That part of coming to and relating to God is owning up to it. Owning it and asking for forgiveness and then pursuing God on his terms. Yet, in this episode, we get introduced to an idea that… I had not considered it before. This thought, mind you, ...
Aug 31, 2021•12 min•Ep. 66
Have you ever been reading along in the Bible and suddenly you find yourself wanting to say something that you normally say to that one good friend who kicks you in the rear-end to get you moving in the right direction? You know, “Shut up.” Well, can I just say that this is what happened to me as I was reading the Psalm for this episode, Psalm 37? This is especially true of verses 1-9. Where it says things like do not be excited or vexed, agitated or envious, and to leave anger and rage behind. ...
Aug 24, 2021•22 min•Ep. 65
Can I just say that for this episode, number 64, there was so much to talk about? There is the basis for a compassionate view of the one without God in his life, not of sin or of evil, but of the individual. There are parallels between this psalm, number 36, and Psalm 1, how God’s graciousness is the protection he provides, and many more besides. It was hard to choose just one topic. But here we go, the one we’re going to talk about is God being the source of all life and living. Now, before you...
Aug 17, 2021•12 min•Ep. 64
Can I just say that this is the hardest Psalm, so far, for me to talk about? I mean, in each Psalm Tuesday episode, I share one thing that I learned or found to be profound. Yet, here in this Psalm, number 35, even after spending hours praying about it and pondering what to say… I was coming up blank. I was left wondering just how did this make it into a worship service, as the Psalms were originally used? I mean, yes, it’s an example of honest communication with God. And yes, it’s an example of...
Aug 10, 2021•18 min•Ep. 63
In this episode, the Psalmist is praising God for his goodness. But how does he know God s good and worthy of praise? Well, the Psalmist states it rather plainly at a little less than halfway through the psalm. He says it’s all about perceiving this through actual experiences with God. Isn’t that rather profound? Perceiving through and understanding based upon actual experience. A beautiful way to build a relationship, don’t you think? And, well, let’s take a listen to this psalm, number 34, and...
Aug 03, 2021•10 min•Ep. 62
Have you ever been reading the Bible, and then all of the sudden have something simply jump off the page at you? Something that just demands your attention? This is what happened to me during the preparation for this particular episode. I was recording Psalm 33, which we’ll hear in just a moment, and all of the sudden, this one phrase in the very middle of the Psalm, well, approximately the middle of the Psalm, all of the sudden lept out calling attention to itself. It seemed to be telling us ju...
Jul 27, 2021•11 min•Ep. 61
In this episode, the Psalmist speaks of being protected, delivered, and surrounded with protective shields. I know, what’s new from the Psalms, right? This is what is new. This time, he is speaking in reference to himself. Yes, himself. Specifically, about the evil found within him. His obstinate refusal to admit his sins and ask forgiveness for them was the source of his torment from which he needed deliverance. He compares his situation to cream that has soured and curdled in the heat of the d...
Jul 20, 2021•9 min•Ep. 60
In this Psalm, the Psalmist shares something profound. He shares that trusting God involves doing so even when your emotions have turned you upside-down. It involves telling God you know he is in control and that he has your back, and, at the same time, telling him that everything is not good. That, as things stand, they are depressing and a source of great grief. And asking him to change the situation, to rescue you from these sources of pain. In other words, it involves knowing that you are se...
Jul 13, 2021•14 min•Ep. 59
In this Psalm, we get a look at an all too human trait. Our need to be delivered from ourselves. We have a tendency to make the blessings of God a substitute for God. When this happens, we have placed the good things God gives in the way of our relationship to God. And in this psalm, in which the Psalmist is thanking God, he praises God for also delivering him from himself. Well, my name is Charles, Charles Yerkes and this is Psalm Tuesday here on the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. This is a podcas...
Jul 06, 2021•9 min•Ep. 58
Have you ever noticed God’s presence in nature? Not that God is nature, but that nature reflects aspects of who its creator is. Haven’t you seen things in nature that remind you of God? In this episode, the Psalmist has and he relates this to us in a most eloquent and poetic manner. He shares how a dark and violent storm at sea reminds him of the power of God, of the voice of God. How he finds, in this chaotic storm, all of nature screaming out the glory of God. And, almost as if he knew someone...
Jun 29, 2021•8 min•Ep. 57
In this episode, David provides us with a beautiful example of how to pray. Granted, he doesn’t say, “This is how you should pray.” But he does offer us an example of simple, pure, and honest communication with God. It starts by acknowledging who God is and who he, David, is and is not. He then asks for God to stay close by. Because, otherwise, David will become like the dead, like wicked ones. And then… and then, he thanks God for staying close. And then he wraps us this prayer by asking God to...
Jun 22, 2021•9 min•Ep. 56
