Their way of life gains them nothing with God, so it too will perish. First, he told him, Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching (1 Tim. His heart was never meant to be a vacuum. No matter what, God is always with us, comforts us, and brings us back to him when we wander. 8:28-29, 38-39). (3) Ones particular gifts (1 Pet. There are several types of parallel arrangement of thoughts, with the first three listed below being the most basic. Now listen to the sound of the text in Hebrew, a~shr? Some say the genres are like prayers. Truth God desires in the heart. The three things that cause a man to be blessed, happy, or fortunate are if he is a man: Compare Psalm 37:6 and note the kind of prosperity God primarily has in mind (spiritual prosperity, discernment, and godly character). (c) 2020 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik ewm@enduringword.com. They express the emotions, personal feelings, attitudes, gratitude, and interests of the average individual. 2:7-9; Ps. That brings forth its fruit in its season, For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, 29:18). d. Nor stands in the path of sinners: Sinners have a path where they stand, and the righteous man knows he does not belong on that path. But what are these in general? 1:4-6). . 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). 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalms of lament express the author's crying out to God in difficult circumstances. In New Testament times we have pastors or elders who are to teach as well as other teachers (Eph. One reason people love the Psalms is that we can each usually identify the Psalms with our own experiences. This refers to the judgment of all unbelieving dead or those raised in the resurrection for judgment (see John 5:29). Many fail at this point. (c) By substituting ones own ideas, experiences, emotions, feelings, or traditions for the Word and its principles. (4) Gods own special blessing and use of our gifts (1 Cor. In the original Hebrew text, this contrast is strongly emphasized by the lack of a connective between these sections called asyndeton, and by the word order. We can then too easily become an associate of those who scoff at Gods plan and ignore His counsel. Psa. There are praise Psalms, lament Psalms, and enthronement Psalms and all contain wisdom, of course, but as an introduction and door to the rest of the Psalms, this Psalm declares in just a few words some of the most basic but profound truths and propositions of the Bible. The Cross And Christian Distinctiveness (1 Peter 2:1-10). iv. What did Paul tell his young coworker in the faith? There are no barren trees in Gods orchard, and yet they may have their fits of barrenness, as an apple tree sometimes hath; but they will reflourish with advantage. (Trapp). But it is wrong, because we are then sitting in the seat of the scornful. 2 R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer, Jr., Bruce K. Waltke, Theological Word Book of the Old Testament, Vol. That brings forth its fruit in its season: The righteous man bears fruit, such as the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Copy. In fact, no other Psalm is higher than Psalm 110 regarding Christ. It is not only reading that does us good; but the soul inwardly feeding on it, and digesting it. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. (1) There are three degrees of habit or conduct: walk / stand / sit. It means, Oh, the blessedness. It stresses this as a fact to those who fulfill the conditions or proposition of the passage. Gods word is always the best counselor, and godly counselors will always bring the truth of Gods word to help someone who wants counseling. How would you summarize the main point(s) and idea(s) of this psalm? Unbelievers are separated from believers and the believers go into the Millennium. 8, 19, 33, 65, 111, 104, 145, 147.: God the Redeemer. who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. b. With all the advice that comes to us, from so many different sources, the righteous man knows how to stay away from the counsel of the ungodly. Wicked is a Hebrew word (r`sh`u) which has as its root idea, to be loose, unstable. This word carries two ideas. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like What is the main idea of Psalm 23?, What was most likely the purpose of Psalm 23?, Which kind of figurative language is used in the first line of Psalm 23? Since we are created in God's image . b. (2) Fruit: Violates the rights of others: oppressive, violent, greedy; unstable, without security, and facing sure judgment (Isa. The word delight was also used of that in which one takes delight as in ones business, pursuits, or affairs of life. In essence we scoff at the Word when we fail to obey it and order our lives accordingly (cf. 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. Like taking wild trees growing in barren and desert-like conditions and carefully transplanting them in rich prepared soil by streams of water. The man who experiences great blessing is one who has a love affair with Gods Word. He/she is a person of the Scriptures. (2) Tribulation Judgments: Also known as Jacobs trouble and Daniels 70th week. 3:5-6). It also means ungodly, godless, or negative toward God, loose from God, without Him as an anchor or controlling factor. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. What is it that pastors and elders ought to be doing? But his delight is in the law of the LORD, He journeyed eastward, walking in the way of sinners. b. 138:2). God has given us His Word that we might become fruitful trees in His service and in ministry to others. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. The man of blessedness is one who has determined to walk by the whole counsel of the Word, not by his emotions, experience, tradition, by popular opinion or by what is politically correct. Like chaff, the wicked will be separated from the grain in judgment (vs. 5). That is a law of life. Verse 1 BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO WALKS NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE WICKED NOR STAND IN THE WAY OF SINNERS. This is the primary word by which the Psalmist describes the unrighteous. It will never wither away, because it is always getting what it needs. God often engineers failure as mirrors of reproof and instruments of growth. 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. Path speaks of a way, a road, a direction and the righteous man is not traveling in the same direction as sinners. But is Ka]m in the Hebrew text. T/F Psalm 137 was written by David. 7:22f; 8:6f; Heb. (b) The wicked are unstable, unfruitful, and will be judged. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. And that blessing is contrasted with the unenviable end of the wicked - judgment. c. At least four times in the Book of Acts, Christianity is called the Way. Below you will see how the 150 psalms are categorized by their overall subject matter. But please note that scoffing can occur by declaration of words or by declaration of a way of life that scorns the moral absolutes of Scripture and its way of life. If it is an oak, it gives shade. It means that God looks out for the righteous. King David is attributed with this powerful writing which contains the three pronouns . Edwards hastens to note that "foundational to everythingeven Peter's use of the OTis the person and ministry of Jesus . Note the parallel here. As Jesus spoke of bearing fruit in John 15:5, as we abide in Him. (b) By indifference. iii. 3:12, delightful land). The first part of the psalm David talks about God being his shepherd and he is the sheep. (3) It also pictures ministry. As it was said of King Belshazzar in the book of Daniel, You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting (Daniel 5:27). With this new position also comes new provision and resources of lifethe Holy Spirit and the Wordboth of which are likened to streams of living water (John 7:37-39; Ps. What does Psalm 23 say? Blessedness is a choice, but to be blessed, one must by faith obey the conditions; he must pursue the way of blessedness as described in this Psalm. Different types of psalms were written to communicate different feelings and thoughts regarding a psalmist's situation. Because they do not have Christs righteousness, they are cast into the lake of fire. Psalm chapter 16. The Tribulation begins after the rapture, thus it begins only with unbelievers. This verse flatly and absolutely denies any correspondence of the characteristics and life of the wicked with the righteous. In eastern meditation, the goal is to empty the mind. It needs the Bible! He does not just hear it and forget it; he thinks about it. 5:11-13). It portrays apathy and negative volition to God and His Word. The righteous man knows where to find completely godly counsel: Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors (Psalm 119:24). By the sound of the words, the Hebrew has a play on these words which drive this home. I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. But there is more. The purpose of the Tribulation judgments is to purge out the rebels and bring Israel to the Messiah. b. 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. By-in-large, people of the Word will gain the capacity to be wise and stable in areas such as their business or the office which could mean promotions or higher profits. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. Fruit bearing is the result of deep roots' finding an abundant supply of nourishment from underground streams of water. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. But his delight is in This statement is emphatic in two ways: by the fact it is a nominal clause (no finite verb), and by the word order. The man (or woman) of blessedness and spiritual stability is one whose life is built on and bathed in the Scripture. How much fruit each tree yields depends on several factors: (1) The filling of the Holy Spirit or the abiding life (John 15:1-7; Gal. It means immoral and without godly restraint or controls. While believers have a heavenly position and an eternal inheritance secured by the work of Jesus Christ, the experience of their blessings, the increase of their capacity to appreciate the Lord, and their capacity for happiness is directly proportional to their knowledge and application of the Word. So how does the wicked forsake his wicked way? How can the Bible have such a stabilizing affect on a persons life? i. ii. 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. Of these, Psalm 110 is the climax. Eph. God the Creator. 4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I . The word r`sh`u (wicked or unrighteous) is contrasted regularly with x#D#q (righteous or righteousness). Primarily they are unstable, blown about from pillar to post because they have no spiritual roots in the Word of God (cf. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. The Psalms, like the other wisdom literature of the Old Testament (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes), is Hebrew poetry. 1:8). 11:25-27; 3:21f; 4:1f). Two great thrusts flow out of this: (a) the importance and absolute necessity of the Scripture, and (b) the changed character, stability, and fruitfulness it promises to those who make Scripture the core of their lives. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. Remember this is Gods Word and every jot and every tittle are important. This judgment comes at the end of the Tribulation and is carried out by Christ on earth. The righteous man is delighted with the word of God! Explanation of Main Idea The wicked will not be able to stand before Gods judgment (verse 5), but will be driven out, away from God and believers (see Rev. i. In Psalm 1, two words develop this idea of blessing, 'salah' ('prospers' in. Psalm 1 describes the happy man as being "like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" (Ps. But since Christians too can live like mere men, like the wicked to some degree, Scripture exhorts us to live as sojourners, as aliens who seek to lay up treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys (1 Pet. It refers to one who is actively engaged in putting down the things of God and His Word. However, the believer, who is kept by the power of God, will be in eternity with the Lord. Very likely not. Unlike English poetry, which emphasizes rhyme and meter, Hebrew poetry relies on other characteristics for its impact like parallelism and figures of speech. Note how this Psalm drives home its truth by the use of contrasts. In each of these there is regression from Gods way and progression into sin and Satans way. We can live in God's trust not only for a good night's sleep, but amidst the reality of death. The way of the righteous. The wicked run the gamut from those who have no room for God (Psalm 10:4), to the religious type who gives only lip service to spiritual things (Psalm 50:16ff). The theme of "Psalm" reflects joy in time's passing, while "Auspex" shows gloomy acceptance of it. David shows us that the Scripture, when known and applied, can restore a sin-damaged and distraught soul, give spiritual wisdom, bring joy to the downcast, and provide spiritual discernment. It declares the blessedness of the righteous and the misery and future of the wicked. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. A study of the word r`sh`u (used well over 255 times in the Old Testament) finds that one of the key characteristics of the wicked is this looseness from God. i. He is easily influenced by the way of the world in its attitudes and actions, for actions follow attitudes. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. Esher is a form of the Hebrew word ashar, which in its root means to be straight or to be right. Blessed is the man speaks of the happiness, the blessedness, the contentment in the life of the man or woman who is right or straight with God. This is the emphasis and declaration of David in Psalm 19:7-11. 4:11f). David was the perfect example of God's king. The way of the wicked perishes because they have left God out and even their temporal life loses real meaning and value. He chose according to the viewpoint of the wicked. The Psalter is fundamentally the hymnbook of God's people. According to Scripture, everything in the church is to flow from and around this emphasis and activity. 6 Because Jehovah knows the way of the a righteous, but the path of the b ill will . Please note, this is a promise from God and a well established fact of life. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. i. (5) The conditions in which we labor, the preparedness of the soil (Mk. What does Psalm 1 6 say? The genres in Psalms identify and group the books by the main idea of the psalm. Its the picture of mental, emotional, and spiritual stability in every kind of situation (see Phil. Literally, not so, the wicked. This is an emphatic denial; the way of the wicked is nothing like the way of the righteous. b. 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. If you are interested there is a thorough study on this subject entitled, Bibliology: The Doctrine of the Written Word available on the Biblical Studies Foundation web site at www.bible.org in the theology section. The fruit comes naturally from this tree, because it is planted by the rivers of water. Psalm one is a wisdom Psalm. But why? A Psalm Of David 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. "Psalm" does not reflect concern about time's passage, while "Auspex" displays anxiety about it. Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it (Matthew 7:13). ii. The righteous man will be a blessed man, a happy man. Psalm 91:1-3 God the Deliverer "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. One is reminded of Pauls statement in 2 Timothy 2:19-20. Many people use it to find comfort in God during times when they're uncertain. a. 4:1-4). If a tree is a fruit tree, it gives fruit. 3:3), and though he is saved, he will experience serious consequences as we shall see in the material below. The righteous man is not afraid to take a less-traveled road, because he knows it leads to blessing, happiness, and eternal life. What makes you happy? 7:23).5. But for the complete picture we need New Testament revelation. Knows does not mean simply to have knowledge of something. was a 1966 graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and a former pastor of 28 years. The righteous man finds his delightin the law of the LORD. Verse six presents a key to understanding Psalm 1: For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish. In this psalm, the way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly are contrasted. 4:14), and (c) in Isaiah 1:17 it is used of correcting false rulers so they will go straight through learning and advancing in the Word. The law, of course, refers to the Word of God. The ungodly are not so, They are not advancing in their life with Christ, but are materialistic, earthly-oriented, living as earthdwellers and not sojourners. Again compare Lot in Genesis 13:12-13; 19:1. "Psalm" suggests that the passage of time cannot defeat the soul, while "Auspex" indicates that it can. 4:14-20; John 4:37-38). Scripture teaches that the believer, if he continues on in a life of carnality, can begin to look like the wicked (1 Cor. (Rev. Christians should meditate on Gods word! A plant which is planted by streams of water has the capacity to endure (Jer. Isa. 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! As an anchor or controlling factor often engineers failure as mirrors of reproof and of. Theological Word Book of Acts, Christianity is called the way of life ) of Psalm... S people have such a stabilizing affect on a persons life my counselors ( 119:24... 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