Psalm 104

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Who - An unnamed author gives praise to the LORD.  

What - This psalm tells about two attributes of God.  The first is the Lord as the sustainer and provider for creatures here on earth.  The second is the LORD’S greatness and majesty.  It is a song of deep and joyful praise to the LORD driven by the psalmist’s amazement at the LORD’S majesty, greatness and power.  

When - Unknown

Where - Unknown

Why - The psalmist is praising the LORD and giving Him glory.  He is also calling his hearers to praise the LORD for the same reasons he is praising the LORD.  

Psalm 65

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Who - David writes a praise song to the LORD.

What - A song of praise to the LORD for His provisions and care for His people.

When - Unstated

Where - Unstated

Why - David seems to write this psalm as a praise song to be sung by Israel.  It appears he wants the people to see how the LORD has provided for them in physical and spiritual ways, then give the LORD praise for these provisions.  

Psalm 16

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Who - David is singing to the LORD.

What - David has written a song of praise and thankfulness.  David is singing about how the LORD has been good to him.  

When - No time is given, possibly after a recent illness or life threatening situation. (vs10).

Where - Unknown

Why - While David does make a specific request (vs 1), the purpose seems to be a personal praise and thanksgiving for God’s overall goodness and blessing.  

Understanding Possessions

“And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on” (Luke 12:22). It is very easy to look at this passage that begins with verse 22 and believe the only point Jesus is making is, “trust God to provide for you.” However, that is a result of reading this passage (12:22-34) disconnected from the rest of chapter 12. Notice how verse 22 begins, “Therefore” is connecting this passage to the previous verses (13-21). This is the parable of the rich fool, who stores up great treasures on earth only to die and never enjoy those treasures and also to be held accountable for his self-centeredness and short-sightedness.

How was he short-sighted, didn’t he make plans for long term security? Even in the way we ask the question we can betray our own failure to understand what is short-sighted and what is long term thinking. By earthly temporal standards the rich fool was thinking long term, because he made plans for financial security for many years. However, Jesus sharply points out that long term temporal thinking is short-sightedness. It is short sighted because the focus is about acquiring and having for oneself with no regard for God and what he values. It is a focus on only what happens in this life not what will happen in eternity. Look at how Jesus responds to a question for him to get involved in a squabble between to brothers over an inheritance, “And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). Then he starts the parable. Now look at how Jesus summarizes the meaning of the parable, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). Temporal only thinking is short sighted because it does not give thought to what God desires and what will happen after this life is over.
Our clue that 22-34 is connected to them also comes from the way Luke records Jesus ending this passage, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:34). Once we see verses 22-34 are connected to and a continuation of verses 13-21, then we can begin to see that trusting God to provide for our needs is manifested in how we handle our possessions.

Let us read the passage on worry and anxiousness with new eyes, eyes enlightened and illuminated by the word of God through the Spirit. Eyes that see we should not worry about our needs while we are being generous to others and God; including fear that our acknowledgement of Christ publicly and doing the will of the Father will lead to losses in our possessions.