Definition: When I wept, [and chastened] my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Psalm 69:10 together. It's a really beautiful and thoughtful verse! Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about feeling shame or sadness – and then turning that around to seek forgiveness and healing. Let’s unpack it part by part: “When I wept…” : This means we all experience sadness, pain, or even tears. It's a natural human response to difficult things happening in our lives. “[and chastened]” : This is the key word! “Chastened” means humbled and repentant. It’s like taking a step back from something that upset us and feeling remorseful. “My soul with fasting…” : This means we didn't just feel sad; we actively sought to get rid of our sadness by doing something – fasting (abstaining from food) – to show humility and repentance. “That was to my reproach.” : This is the most important part! “Reproach” means being judged or criticized. So, by fasting and showing remorse, we were being judged by God. It's like saying, "I’m sorry for my mistakes." Putting it all together: The verse says that when we felt deeply sad and regretted our actions, we took a step – fasting – to show humility and ask forgiveness. It’s about recognizing that our feelings are okay, but our actions need to be righted. What does this mean in the bigger picture? Psalm 69 is often seen as a reminder of God's mercy. It tells us that even when we make mistakes or feel ashamed, God is ready to forgive us and help us change. It’s about turning our sorrow into something positive – a desire for reconciliation with God. Essentially, it’s saying: “Feeling bad doesn’t mean you're not worthy of forgiveness." --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context about the history of this verse? Discuss what this verse might be teaching us about our relationship with God?