Simple

This week we begin worship with:

Psalm 116:5-7
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful. The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

To be simple (pᵊṯî) is not the idyllic state described in the Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts", nor is it a mental deficiency.  One is simple if one is easily swayed.

David had been swayed.  He was convinced in this Psalm that the world was out-to-get-him and that he was as we would say today "a victim".

Psalm 116:10-11

I believed, even when I spoke:

    “I am greatly afflicted”;

I said in my alarm,

    “All mankind are liars.”

But when he turned back to the Lord and understood the bounty of God's mercy, he instructed his soul "Return, O my soul, to your rest".  When we are likewise swayed, we should do likewise.