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 16:4KJV
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Psalms 16:4 (KJV)

What does Psalms 16:4 mean?

Psalms 16:4 warns that those who chase after other gods will experience increasing troubles, and the speaker refuses to join in their rituals or even speak the names of these other gods. The verse draws a clear line between loyalty to the God of Israel and the practices of idol worshipers.

David, the psalmist, is speaking about people in his community who turn to other gods, likely in times of trouble or for personal gain. He distances himself from their actions by saying he will not participate in their offerings—especially offerings involving blood, which were common in some ancient religions—or even mention the names of these gods. The verse highlights a strong commitment to worshiping only the God of Israel and rejecting all forms of idolatry.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 16:4

  • "sorrows" (עַצֵּבוֹת, 'atzevot): This word refers to pain, grief, or troubles. The verse says these will be "multiplied" for those who pursue other gods, emphasizing the heavy cost of idolatry.
  • "multiplied" (רָבָה, rabah): This word means to increase or become many. The troubles of idol worshipers are not just present, but will grow.
  • "hasten" (מָהַר, mahar): This word carries the sense of rushing or eagerly pursuing. It shows that the people are not just drifting into idolatry, but actively seeking it out.
  • "another" (אַחֵר, acher): This word means "another" or "different," making it clear that the gods in question are not just additional, but entirely different from the God of Israel.

Why Psalms 16:4 matters

  • The verse clears up that David is not just passively avoiding idol worship, but is actively rejecting both the rituals and even the mention of other gods, showing total loyalty.
  • It highlights a sharp contrast between the fate of those who follow the God of Israel and those who turn to other gods, underlining the seriousness of idolatry in the psalmist’s community.
  • This verse helps explain the context of the whole psalm, which is about finding security and joy in God alone, not in the practices or promises of other religions.

Where else these words appear

“sorrows” Hebrew H6094 · used in 5 verses

  • Job 9:28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
  • Psalms 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
  • Proverbs 10:10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

“nor” Hebrew H1077 · used in 8 verses

  • Psalms 10:15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
  • Proverbs 9:13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
  • Isaiah 26:10 Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.

“offer” Hebrew H5258 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
  • Jeremiah 19:13 And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.

“hasten” Hebrew H4116 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 18:6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
  • Judges 9:48 And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.
  • 2 Chronicles 24:5 And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.