The Simple Not Shallow Podcast

Can I say that I am amazed and in awe of the sheer humanity I find in the Psalms? For instance, in this psalm, number 62, I see a peace of mind, a quiet certainty, a sublimely untroubled state of mind that many today are dreaming about but never able to discover for themselves. It is beyond awesome; it is comforting and reassuring. And the Psalmist shares his secret for being so at peace. He says…...

Can I say that I find something extraordinary in this psalm? We have all heard something about prayer, what it is, what it does, and how it works. Right? Yet, I find here an aspect of prayer rarely spoken of. Indeed, “rarely” is an understatement. Yet, it is most profound and makes total sense when viewed in a relationship with God. Prayer elevates us from pain into peace, joy, and praise as we ta...

Can I say that all who think Christianity is all roses and lollipops, you know, the thinking that “God only wants you to be happy, healthy, wealthy, and prosperous if you just have enough faith” probably aren’t exactly right? All you have to do is read a psalm or two to know this isn’t so. Take this psalm, for instance, which is Psalm 60; we find something much more profound than happy, healthy, w...

Can I say that the Bible is full of beautiful twists and turns? For example, here in Psalm 59, we start with the Psalmist asking God to save him from fierce and strong enemies. Then, he builds his case against them to the point where he compares them to wild dogs that prowl about the city at night. He next praises God because God will give him triumph over his enemies; a joyful triumph is what he...

Can I say that it is quite effortless to take passages from the Bible out of context? Which destroys the message and meaning the passage contains. We can then get hung up on a word or phrase rather than hearing what is actually being said. For instance, in this psalm… 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 spo...

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...

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” mo...

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 t...

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. ...

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. W...

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 fi...

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...

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...

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...

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 an...

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...

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 s...

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...

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, s...

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 e...

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 Ye...

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 rathe...

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...

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...

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...