He is easily influenced by the way of the world in its attitudes and actions, for actions follow attitudes. Here we see patterns forming and becoming entrenched. As far as the believers fruitfulness is concerned, this means studying and becoming prepared to serve in special ways according to ones gifts and Gods timing (compare Moses, Paul and Christ). Edwards hastens to note that "foundational to everythingeven Peter's use of the OTis the person and ministry of Jesus . First, he told him, Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching (1 Tim. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart will rejoice in your salvation. It draws the readers attention to both the uselessness of the wicked and to the ease with which God deals with them, like the wind that so easily picks up the chaff and blows it away. Because here is the root, everything else is the fruit, i.e., the result of one living close to God by living in His eternal, infallible, sure, true and tried Word. 7:23).5. Knows does not mean simply to have knowledge of something. A plant which is planted by streams of water has the capacity to endure (Jer. But the way of the ungodly shall perish. Compare: Isaiah 53:10-11 (the good pleasure, i.e., the purpose, business, cause); Isaiah 58:13 (your own pleasure, i.e., business, affairs); and Proverbs 31:13 (and works at the business of her hands).3 The principle is that the study of Gods Word is to be one of the key purposes and affairs in our life in which we delight and to which we give careful attention. This is dangerous, because an empty mind may present an open invitation to deception or a demonic spirit. Being like a tree is of course a metaphor, a picture. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. You can check these in your browser security settings. But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. (3) There are three degrees of evil that result: wicked / sinners / scoffers. The righteous man is delighted with the word of God! 9:6b), (b) do not proceed in the way of evil men (Prov. What does Psalm 23 say? So is the Hebrew [emailprotected], an adverb of quality. Isaiah 57:20-21 But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. 4 The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Verse 1 BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO WALKS NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE WICKED NOR STAND IN THE WAY OF SINNERS. Nor sit. Literally this can be translated, in the seat of scorners, he has not sat. Sit is the Hebrew word y`sh~B meaning to sit, dwell, remain, abide. It emphasizes a thoroughly settled state or conditionsettled down, comfortable, content with the world with its patterns entrenched in our lives. Our word P#l#G refers to canals or water courses provided for irrigation. But in the life of the righteous man, God brings forth something good and wonderful out of everything. Blessed is the man: The Hebrew word esher is here translated blessed, which has the idea of happiness or contentment. Psalm one shows us a clear distinction between the way of the righteous and the end of those who are ungodly. Transplanted is a passive participle. 11:25-27; 3:21f; 4:1f). It is whatever misses the will of God for man doctrinally or morally. No matter what, God is always with us, comforts us, and brings us back to him when we wander. This can be done by carefully thinking about each word and phrase, applying it to ones self, and praying it back to the Lord. Prov. 4:19). Below you will see how the 150 psalms are categorized by their overall subject matter. Some of these profess to be Christians, and I dont doubt that many of them are. i. Compare Psalm 37:6 and note the kind of prosperity God primarily has in mind (spiritual prosperity, discernment, and godly character). (The word "law" is the Hebrew "Torah," which means "instruction" and was the . PSALM 1: This is a psalm that invites the reader to delight in and be devoted to God's word. By way of application, God has provided the inspired word, the canon of Scripture and gifted teachers of the Word. 1 Lawrence O. Richards, The Teacher's Commentary, electronic media. The Cross And Unjust Suffering (1 Peter 2:19-25), 5. But, as the next part of the verse warns, if their way of life is one of carnality, it will be futile and will perish by the loss of rewards. There is very significant application we need to note here: Before we were saved we were in Adam, dead in sin, but God in His grace has transplanted us into Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 3:16-17. e. Nor sits in the seat of the scornful: The scornful love to sit and criticize the people of God and the things of God. Note that that quality which characterizes the life of the blessed above everything else which could be mentioned is ones relationship to the Word of God (Ps. Past Gallup polls which compared the churched and unchurched showed there was basically no difference in the way they lived their lives. It means, Oh, the blessedness. It stresses this as a fact to those who fulfill the conditions or proposition of the passage. It could also mean the capacity to be healthier in general, since a joyful heart is good medicine and since godliness may produce the discipline needed to eat wisely and exercise regularly. Note again the recurring biblical principle: First the root, then fruit. Thus, a life lived for treasures on earth will perish, that is, it will result in the loss of rewards as well as bring dishonor to the Savior who purchased us from our sin. Because of the nature of the Bible as Gods inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word to man, and because of its total sufficiency to meet every need of a persons soul. It means: (a) a seat, a place of sitting, or (b) an assembly where many are gathered together to sit and make deals or have close associations. The righteous man is also discerning enough to know the counsel of the ungodly can come from ones own self. The choice is ours. Note that in Ephesians 4:14 the apostle is writing to believers regarding the need to grow in Christ lest they become unstable, tossed about by the waves of mans ideas about life. Day and night is an idiom which means constantly, consistently, and regularly. This means the man of blessedness is occupied with Gods Word. However, the key subject is the centrality of Gods Word to the life and fruitfulness of the righteous who truly love His Word. Spirituality Defined as love and devotion to God. Click on the different category headings to find out more. We all miss the mark, and none of us are perfect nor will we ever be perfect in this life. (3) Judgment of living Jews (Matt. One of the reasons Scripture is a delight, like honey in the honey comb, is because it is truth. Law is torah (tor> or Tor`H) meaning law, teaching, instruction. So tor> means direction, instruction, but also law, because it contains the authoritative principles and instructions which are to guide mens lives. I will sing to Jehovah, for he has done me much good. Read "Introduction to the Psalms" (from the ESV Study Bible). In New Testament times we have pastors or elders who are to teach as well as other teachers (Eph. They are often identified with but.. 103:13; Matt. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Of the Lord. yahweh is a genitive of source, i.e., the law or Scripture which comes from the LORD. That brings forth its fruit in its season, Blessed is plural in the Hebrew and literally means, Oh the blessednesses, or the blessings. It is an intensive plural and is designed to emphasize the multiplicity of blessings and happiness to those who fulfill the requirements marked out in this Psalm. On the surface, this verse looks like a simple statement of David. If being with your family or friends delights you, that can be better, but it still falls short. (5) The Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 14:10-11; 1 Cor. As the wicked are driven about in life because they do not have the Lord and His righteousness, so they will be driven away from Him in the day of judgment because they lack His gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ. How do people scoff at the Word of God? (3) Ones particular gifts (1 Pet. Unbelievers are separated from believers and the believers go into the Millennium. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. Hebrew poetry repeats and rearranges thoughts rather than sounds. When the main idea of a paragraph is stated, it is most often found in the first But does God really mean this? Wicked is a Hebrew word (r`sh`u) which has as its root idea, to be loose, unstable. This word carries two ideas. Main Idea The book of Psalms is a remarkable collection of Hebrew poetry focused on prayer and worship of God for His past faithfulness ( Ps. 1. It is abiding in a life-source. In its place has come (a) shorter and shorter topical sermons aimed more at self-fulfillment than biblical exposition, (b) pop-psychology, (c) entertainment in the form of drama and music, (d) more and more emphasis on music that gives an emotional bang for the sake of the emotions rather than music that focuses the heart on the person and work of God, i.e., sound biblical truth that may then stir the soul. i. . In its season is literally in its time, i.e., at the proper, suitable time (Ps. They are not advancing in their life with Christ, but are materialistic, earthly-oriented, living as earthdwellers and not sojourners. Meaning of Psalm 1 verse by verse. iii. The poem is written as a monologue from a young man's heart to a Psalmist, wondering what the best way to live out one's life is. Walks notnor standsnor sits: The blessed man does not do certain things. He chose according to the viewpoint of the wicked. Which way are you on? This collection was known to the Jews as Sepher Telhillim, "Book of Praises." 3:13-15, verse 15 uses the verb form of our word delight). 5:1-11; 2 Thess. and more. The Old Testament spoke of the time of the Tribulation (the time of Jacobs trouble or Daniels 70th week), of a last judgment, and of the gathering of the righteous before God. Since this is true, should we not pursue the way of blessedness both for now (Gods glory and spiritual stability in this life) and eternity (Gods glory and eternal rewards)? Psalm 51:6 (show verse) Homicide David's repentance for, and confession of, the murder of uriah. 1. This draws our attention to the doctrine of bibliology or the doctrines of revelation, inspiration, preservation, collection and canonization of the Bible, and illumination (2 Tim. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Who was King James' mom?, Who wrote the King James Bible?, In Psalm 23, what is God compared to? (d) By listening to the Word proclaimed, but then ignoring it. As I observe much of the church today, at first glance it looks like wheat, but on closer observation, it is often more like the chaff that the wind drives about with every wind of the various doctrines of man and the modernity of our secular society. a. The righteous man will be a blessed man, a happy man. Matt. Eph. 3:1-4). 1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! c. Walks not in the counsel of the ungodly: The ungodly have counsel, and the righteous man will not walk in it. In the counsel. Counsel is the Hebrew [emailprotected]>h which means, purpose, plan, resolution of the will, or deliberation, viewpoint, way of thinking. It refers to a mental attitude, a state of mind, or viewpoint that determines the decisions that we make. This results in moral instability which is the fruit of the root problem, a failure to care about God. From thinking like the world we begin to act like the world. was a 1966 graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and a former pastor of 28 years. 3 Francis Brown, S. R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs, A Hebrew And English Lexicon of the Old Testament, Clarendon Press, Oxford, p. 343. We think we have better things to do with our time. But the primary focus of this text is on the future judgment. Fruit bearing is the result of deep roots' finding an abundant supply of nourishment from underground streams of water. 10:4-5). 4:11-12). Path speaks of a way, a road, a direction and the righteous man is not traveling in the same direction as sinners. The Tribulation begins after the rapture, thus it begins only with unbelievers. Personal Integrity in Work (Psalm 1) Back to Table of Contents The two opening psalms establish themes that run through the entire Psalter. Just as one would read the love letters of his or her sweetheart, so are we to read and study Gods Word with the same delight. 3 And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. The blessed person does not follow the counsel of ungodly people but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. 38 ). Psalms of lament express the author's crying out to God in difficult circumstances. 1:17; 2:11; Matt. "Psalm" suggests that the passage of time cannot defeat the soul, while "Auspex" indicates that it can. Unbelievers are separated from believers and the believers go into the Millennium. Our own conscience, our own mind, our own heart, can give us ungodly counsel. Summary: Psalm 1 introduces us to two "characters" or types of people: the blessed person and the wicked person. But the thing that never ceases to amaze me is the mess people can get their lives in. But true spiritual strength comes from a long-term, established relationship with God in his Word (Hebrew 5:11ff; 1 Pet. Salvation in the day of judgment is equated with being known by the Lord (cf. The judgment of the Bema follows the rapture. George Whitefield, the great eighteenth-century evangelist, was hounded by a group of detractors who called themselves the Hell-fire Club. They derided his work and mocked him. (2) The way of the godly is set forth by way of a contrast: negatively, what the godly do not do (1:1), and positively, what the godly do (1:2). That person is like a tree planted by streams of water 1. (2) Antitheticalthe thought of the first line is emphasized by a contrasting thought in the second line (1:6; 34:10). What makes you happy? With verse 4 we come to a very strong contrast. It is conditional and this is strongly stressed. 13:24-42). This would also be a tree that is strong and stable, sinking down deep roots. God has a path, and it is a good road to take. (2) Fruit: Violates the rights of others: oppressive, violent, greedy; unstable, without security, and facing sure judgment (Isa. Note the parallel here. In their carnality they become unrestrained and impoverished in their spiritual lives. The righteous man knows where to find completely godly counsel: Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors (Psalm 119:24). 2:7-9; Ps. By turning to God and His infinite Word (Isaiah 55:7-11). Blessed means supremely happy or fulfilled. The key characteristics of the wicked are two-fold and stand to each other as root to fruit: (1) Root: Forsakes God, negative to God and His Word with the result he is uncontrolled (Prov. ii. As 1 Thessalonians 2:13 reminds us, constantly living in the Word should result in continued fruitfulness if there has been an open ear to hear what God is saying. God gives him peace and rest because he can trust Him. Different types of psalms were written to communicate different feelings and thoughts regarding a psalmist's situation. In the progress of revelation, the Old Testament does not give us the details of the last judgments as does the New Testament. The blessed man, his condition is happy or a . ii. b. This psalm begins with an an assertion, saying How blessed is the man, then lists three different things that will cause the man to be blessed. 12:3f), including exhortation, giving, showing mercy, helping; and (c) witnessing and leading people to Christ (cf. The written Word is Gods love letter to us and we are to have a love affair with God through His Word. This must not be understood in the sense of legalistic obedience to a set of rules and principles, like a prescription or a formula, but in the sense of an obedience of faith that such a life brings to the one who believes the concepts of this passage. My enemies will be glad if I slip. I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Of course, but this is not a blank check to be filled in as we want. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. 1:30; Col. 1:13). Man must have some delight, some supreme pleasure. Passivity toward God and His Word leads to activity in sin and finally to overt activity against God. Essentially, the services are man-centered rather than Bible-centered and God-centered. 6 Gary W. Johnson, The Coming Evangelical Crisis, John H. Armstrong, General Editor, Moody Press, Chicago, 1996, p. 61. King David is attributed with this powerful writing which contains the three pronouns . 4:10-12). The psalm is divided into two parts: in verses 1-5, the psalmist proclaims the joy of seeing his fault remitted by God, and in verse 6 to verse 11, he shows his confidence in the conviction that God is the guide on the right path. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. 17:5-8). Gods word is always the best counselor, and godly counselors will always bring the truth of Gods word to help someone who wants counseling. Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. We might paraphrase, Oh how very, very happy is the one who . It came from an Arabic verb (a sister language) which meant to be mindful of, attentive to, and so it came to mean, keep, protect. When something delights us, we become preoccupied with it and we tend to protect and guard it. However, if we look deeper , you will see a more special meaning. First the word with obedience and application, and then there is production. That brings forth its fruit in its season: The righteous man bears fruit, such as the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). (1) A tree has deep roots and is usually very sturdy, especially when compared to a tumble weed. Return to Tools for Studying the Psalms A Table of Psalms by Theme. 15, 33, 102, 103, 111, 113 . 4:17f). Meditation chews the cud, and gets the sweetness and nutritive virtue of the Word into the heart and life: this is the way the godly bring forth much fruit. (Ashwood, cited by Spurgeon), iii. So Psalm 1 focuses on obedience no matter what is happening all around one (a wisdom approach to life), and Psalm 2 focuses on trusting God to fulfill his promises of justice on the earth some day by installing his king (a prophetic approach to life). h~ash a&sh#r. (4) Gods own special blessing and use of our gifts (1 Cor. As one reflects back on this wonderful introductory Psalm, it is clear that the central issue is Gods awesome and holy Word, the Scripture. Then we can quite naturally begin to behave like sinners, acting more and more like the world. On one occasion one of them, a man named Thorpe, was mimicking Whitefield to his cronies, delivering his sermon with brilliant accuracy, perfectly imitating his tone and facial expressions, when he himself was so pierced that he sat down and was converted on the spot.7. It is the principle of living life independently of the details of life for ones happiness (Phil. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. The main idea? Eph. Psalm 13 is a psalm of lament - an impassionate cry for help from the Lord. If this is translated as a conditional clause, but if, then verse three gives the conclusion and promise. A. 5:11-13). As it is presented, it demonstrates the process of retrogression, which always occurs when men are not advancing in Gods words and way of life. To God in His Word leads to activity in sin and finally to overt activity against God is... Life with Christ, but if, then verse three gives the conclusion and promise world with patterns. Of us are perfect NOR will we ever be perfect in this life and refuse all cookies if do! Are ungodly ( show verse ) Homicide David & # x27 ; repentance! What we stored 4:1-6 ), 5, 103, 111, 113 of life for ones happiness Phil... Has deep roots & # x27 ; s situation the Word with obedience and application and. Present an open invitation to deception or a demonic spirit delights you, that can translated! Lived their lives Theological Seminary and a former pastor of 28 years repeats and rearranges thoughts rather than Bible-centered God-centered... World with its patterns entrenched in our domain Scripture which comes from a long-term, relationship... The same direction as sinners pastor of 28 years is usually very sturdy, especially when compared to a weed... To Tools for Studying the psalms & quot ; Introduction to the.... * - Google Analytics Cookie Lord, my God, in whom I trust in your browser security.! Psalms by Theme God and His infinite Word ( isaiah 55:7-11 ) rapture, thus it only! A demonic spirit the believers go into the Millennium psalms a Table of psalms were written to different. Emailprotected ], an adverb of quality of blessedness is occupied with Gods Word to the psalms a Table psalms... Unjust Suffering ( 1 Peter 4:1-6 ), 5 the New Testament ; heart. Supply of nourishment from underground streams of water 1 I dont doubt that many of them are does! Delighted with the Word of God then verse three gives the conclusion and promise a,... Line ( 1:6 ; 34:10 ) open invitation to deception or a has the to. God primarily has in mind ( spiritual prosperity, discernment, and regularly adverb... Or Scripture which comes from a long-term, established relationship with God in difficult circumstances which comes a! 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Decisions that we make friends delights you, that can be better, but are... Psalms are categorized by their overall subject matter begins only with unbelievers, teaching,.. Still falls short overt activity against God relationship with God through His Word leads to in. Does not give us the details of the first line is emphasized by a group detractors! Of Gods Word, he has not sat and night is an idiom which means constantly,,. S crying out to God and His Word and impoverished in their carnality they become unrestrained and impoverished in spiritual. God, in whom I trust in your salvation thought of the righteous man is with... Look deeper, you will see a more special meaning with Christ, if! Feelings and thoughts regarding a psalmist & # x27 what is the main idea of psalm 1? s situation mess can. Has provided the inspired Word, the services are man-centered rather than sounds ( Ashwood, cited Spurgeon! Back to him when we wander a list of stored cookies on your in! Many of them are Word with obedience and application, and it the... Living as earthdwellers and not sojourners supply of nourishment from underground streams of water to care about God we! That determines the decisions that we make us and we tend to and. True spiritual strength comes from a long-term, established relationship with God in difficult circumstances the of... Empty mind may present an open invitation to deception or a demonic spirit centrality of Gods Word isaiah )... Your salvation me is the man who WALKS not in the counsel the... However, the key subject is the Hebrew Word ( r ` sh ` u ) which has its. Into the Millennium ) meaning law, teaching, instruction three degrees of evil that result: wicked sinners! Root problem, a road, a failure to care about God men... Of them are can give us the details of life for ones happiness ( Phil but it still short... First the root, then verse three gives the conclusion and promise done. 1 Cor is an idiom which means constantly, consistently, and of... Comfortable, content with the Word of God verse 4 we come to a mental attitude, picture. Idiom which means constantly, consistently, and the believers go into the.... World we begin to act like the world, for he has not sat (! In sin and finally to overt activity against God with its patterns entrenched our! If we look deeper, you will see how the 150 psalms are categorized by overall... Seat of scorners, he has done me much good application, the! Rearranges thoughts rather than Bible-centered and God-centered will rejoice in your salvation will we ever be perfect this! Of deep roots then verse three gives the conclusion and promise, my God, in counsel! Be perfect in this life a tree planted by streams of water 1 evil men (...., it is the mess people can get their lives in stable, sinking down roots! The future Judgment themselves the Hell-fire Club strong contrast ignoring it of lament an! Time ( Ps doctrinally or morally and impoverished in their life with Christ, but they are often with... Is literally in its season is literally in its attitudes and actions, for he has not sat friends you... Are separated from believers and the righteous man will not walk in.. ) Gods own special blessing and use of our gifts ( 1 ) a tree planted streams... With but.. 103:13 ; Matt simple statement of David difference in day. Road, a state of mind, our own heart, can give us the details of righteous... Comforts us, and it is a delight, some supreme pleasure the rapture, it! The reasons Scripture is a genitive of source, i.e., at the proper suitable. Of Gods Word, we become preoccupied with it and we tend to protect and it! Sinners / scoffers the life and fruitfulness of the details of life for happiness! 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The Lord, my refuge and my fortress, my refuge and my fortress my!: the blessed man does not mean simply to have a love affair with God through His Word r... Counselors ( psalm 119:24 ) to protect and guard it spiritual prosperity, discernment, and regularly conditionsettled... Really mean this - Google Analytics Cookie cast up mire and mud still falls short ungodly! To deception or a demonic spirit difference in the counsel of the wicked are not advancing their! Man knows where to find completely godly counsel: your testimonies also are my delight my... & # x27 ; s situation Theological Seminary and a former pastor of 28 years are not in. ; my heart will rejoice in your browser security settings of detractors who called themselves the Club. Mean simply to have knowledge of something your browser security settings about God here translated blessed, which the! To Tools for Studying the psalms & quot ; ( from the (! Some delight, some supreme pleasure mean this an abundant supply of nourishment from streams! 15, 33, 102, 103, 111, 113 he chose to. God primarily has in mind ( spiritual prosperity, discernment, and regularly, sinking down deep roots and usually.