So, what is Psalm 1 talking about? Psalm 1 is about the blessings of the righteous. PSALM 1 Psalms 1:1-6. Notice that Psalm 1:2 doesn’t say that the blessed man simply reads the Law of the Lord. This Psalm consists of two parts: in the first (from verse 1 to the end of the 3rd) David sets out wherein the felicity and blessedness of a godly man consisteth, what his exercises are, and what blessings he shall receive from the Lord. The perff. July 28, 2015 Comments Off on Psalm 1: Brief Exegetical Commentary read Studies/Sermons. The basic structure of the Psalm is a comparison of two ways of life, one leading to blessing and the other leading to destruction. Book One The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked - Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Catalyst is a project of AFTE, which is committed to the revitalization of theological education for United Methodists. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. As priviledged children of God we need to mediate on the word of God to know Him personal and to live according to Deut 28, Its not enough to know about God but know Him personally by reading and meditating on the Word of God daily, its the only time blessings can flow in our lives, Your email address will not be published. The holiness and happiness of a godly man. 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk. Later this week I will continue the series on Faith and Works. (2), Can a Christian Be an Environmentalist? The book of Psalms serves as the prayer book for God’s missional people as we seek to live out love for God and neighbor in the service of God’s mission to bless the nations and heal creation. Although God created the entire universe (Ps. (1), Embracing the New for the Sake of Mission, Can a Christian Be an Environmentalist? (1) This psalm proclaims an authoritative guide to happiness. 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Breathe it out. Then ponder it deeply and continually. How can I make it through life happy? A. Look after Psalm 5 to learn what the word "righteous" means. 1. This psalm has a good deal in common with Proverbs 2:12-15, 20-22 and Jeremiah 17:5-13, both of which contrast the It is only six verses. The person who will be blessed delights in “the law of the Lord.” In the Old Testament, the word “law” is used in a variety of ways. in Psalm 1:1 describe what he all along has never done, the fut. The miserableness of sinners, and the final happiness of the godly, Psalm 1:5, Psalm 1:6. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. The book of Psalms ends in 150:6 with the memorable exhortation: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” This is an invitation to join the whole chorus of creation in the ongoing, vibrant praise and worship of God. We must be mindful of how we live. Can … - Psalm 150:6. We also find also find prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of trust, and hopeful declarations. “Blessed” focuses on God as blesser. Breathe it in. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Verse 3, Look Up Verse 4, Perfection Verses 5-6, God Abhors Sin Verses 7-8, As For Me Verses 9-10, Rebellion Against God Verses 11-12, Rejoice The Psalter is the echo in devout hearts of the other portions of divine revelation. In the Hebrew, meditate also has the connotation of speaking the text aloud. Psalm 1: 1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; 2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, Instead, it advocates an attitude and a habit. Costly Grace, How to Respond to the Da Vinci Code Movie. In verse 1 the person who receives God’s blessing is described negatively, in terms of not living the lifestyle of the wicked. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. “Blessed” focuses on God as blesser. Its concern is with all human authority, not only David’s rule. Great discussion! Psalm 1:1 - Psalm 1:2. 8:5-8). An Exposition, With Practical Observations, of The Book of Psalms Psalm 1. Psalm 1 is an introductory Psalm, a kind of gateway to the rest, where all kinds of qualities are mentioned. The basic structure of the Psalm is a comparison of two ways of life, one leading to blessing and the other leading to destruction. Psalm 1: Brief Exegetical Commentary. The psalmist is not naïve to think that we can avoid the world. (TNIV). The Psalter has nurtured and fed the souls of God’s people for millennia through its rich and relevant prayers and praises to God. 6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will be destroyed. He delights in it. The blessed man does not need to force himself to read the Bible, because he delights in it. Gracious God, Let’s listen to the Psalm in its entirety and then begin to unpack its power: Psalm 1:1 Blessed are those who do not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but who delight in the law of the LORD and meditate on his law day and night. (2) Recognize that the life of faith touches every moment and interaction. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. This is the warning of v. 1. Psalm 1:1. Reflections on Psalm 1: How to live a blessed life Last week I was meditating on Psalm 1, and I want to share some of my observations. Sometimes it is used in a more narrow sense to describe the laws for human conduct given in the first five books of the Bible, which are also called “the Law.” But at other times the word “law” is used more generally for God’s word. [or download in R TF format] Psalm 3: A Morning Song [or download in R TF format] Psalm 4: An Evening Song [or download in R TF format] (3) Verse 2 offers the positive virtue and practice that serves as the guide and road map to the good and happy life. "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; … The psalmist has a more audacious vision. Your email address will not be published. My focus is on verse 2, because I think that it provides the key to living a blessed life. The key is to be shaped by God so that we are influencers of the world rather than persons who are influenced by the world. Then in verse 2 we find the only positive description of the person who will be blessed: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” What follows in verse 3 is a description of the secure and fruitful life that comes about as a result. 8:1-3), he chose to appoint human beings to rule over the creation (Ps. Listen to an original song, view beautiful artwork, and read a short written reflection inspired by Psalm 1 In other words, Ps 1 as a presupposition and foundation to the journey of faith calls us to a courageous willingness to read and ponder. Look at v. 2: delight in the law of the LORD and meditate on it moment by moment. This is not an option. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. Unleash us to live by faith, be known by love, and serve as voices of hope for all creation. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night….”. And since we cannot meditate on something unfamiliar to us, we need to read the Word often and commit portions of it to memory. Blessed. Required fields are marked *. verses 4 - 6: enemies of God, we call them godless. Pray “Astonish me a anew with the riches of your word.” Pray not that you “become a master of Scripture but that the Scripture masters you.”. Psalm 8 is an exception in Book 1, as it does not pertain specifically to David. They are like chaff that the wind blows away. All of this presses the question: How do we live this way? Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. He doesn’t JUST study it. That is probably the subject for another post, but I welcome your thoughts. It suggests that before authentic praise, before passionate and expectant prayer, there is a deep need to ponder. These are the core practices that serve as the foundation for the book of Psalm’s vision for life. Some English translation have the word “blessed.” The word is better translated “happy” here in 1:1 because Ps 1 is talking about “happy” in the sense of being in a state of blessing from God. (1-3) The sinfulness and misery of a wicked man, The ground and reason of both. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”. Psalm 1:2 echoes God’s word to Joshua in 1:7-8: “Be strong and courageous. Yet, this is the one quality which is of single importance. Look at the verbs in v. 1: walk, stand, sit. Other people delight in the activities in Psalm 1:1 – godless advice, lifestyle, and associations. It is a coming to Scripture with an attitude of delight that opens us up to the feast that is there. I hope you’re blessed by this brief commentary. 4) Delight and meditate. 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. The courage to pick up the Scriptures and read is a key step in the journey and life of faith that ends in the perpetual praise of the God who saves us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus our LORD. Whom does the psalmist want us to keep away from? The way of the righteous. 2. In Jesus’ name: Amen. Verse six presents a key to understanding this Psalm: For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish. 4 Not so the wicked! hjj, depressum esse), dull sound, as if vibrating between within and without, here signifies the quiet soliloquy (cf. How can I make it through life happy? The blessedness of the righteous shown, in his avoiding every appearance of evil, Psalm 1:1. and on his law he meditates day and night. Blessed is the man Arab. Why? The wicked are contrasted in verse 4, and the remaining two verses describe the ultimate outcome of each way of life. on Reflections on Psalm 1: How to live a blessed life, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Faith and Works (part 1): Cheap Grace vs. Notice that this is no mere rote or legalistic force-feeding of Scripture. Next: Psalm 6, The Lord Has Heard the Voice of My Weeping More Devotions from Psalm 5 Verses 1-2, Hearken! Psalm 1 is not a prayer nor is it an audacious praise, but it is foundational to the rest of the psalms. Let our new content come to you through your favorite RSS reader. Arab. Some Reflections on Psalm 1 . (1) This psalm proclaims an authoritative guide to happiness. And that blessing is contrasted with the unenviable end of the wicked – judgment. A lament, a hymn of praise or a wisdom psalm? Matthew Henry :: Commentary on Psalms 1 ← Back to Matthew Henry's Bio & Resources. We are God’s witnesses to the world. Wisdom sayings often begin with “Blessed is the man who…” or “Blessed are those who….”. Calling God’s word “law” gives recognition to its authority in our lives and affirms our obligation to submit ourselves to God. He meditates on it day and night because he delights in God’s law. So my question is, how can we become the sort of people who delight in God’s word? ] Biblical Commentary (Bible study) Psalm 1 EXEGESIS: CONTEXT: This is a wisdom psalm, calling people to follow the path of righteousness to obtain the blessings that God confers on the righteous. Continue to astonish us anew with riches of your Word so that we may be shaped and formed into the people that you desire us to be. 3. . Psalm 1 is the first psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in the English King James Version: "Blessed is the man".The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament.In Latin, this psalm is known as Beatus vir or Beatus vir, qui non abiit.. It does not offer a short series of steps to happiness or a one-time seminar to receive a certification in the state of being blessed. It is a joy for him to read it and he naturally finds himself thinking about it often. The Trees by Girton pond, a place I often meditate -photo Liliana Janik. Reading Scripture as Wesleyans: The Contribution of…, What Role Should Experience Play in Christian…, The Courage to Read: Reflections on Psalm 1, Discipleship after COVID-19: Family Worship, What Role Should Experience Play in Christian Spirituality? 3 They are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers. To breathe in your guidance and breathe it out in faithful practice and praise. Look at the verbs in v. 1: walk, stand, sit. It seems to me that an important part of developing a delight for God’s word is learning to meditate on it. (1), Discipleship after COVID-19: Reflections from Early Methodism. The opposite state of the ungodly pointed out, under the metaphor of chaff driven away by the wind, Psalm 1:4. But the blessed man doesn’t. (4-6) Commentary on Psalm 1:1-3 (Read Psalm 1:1-3) To meditate in God's word, is to discourse with ourselves concerning the great things contained in it, with close application of mind and fixedness of thought. Praise is the climax of the book of Psalm. … (2) Recognize that the life of faith touches every moment and interaction. Embolden us today with the courage to read and receive. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Angle: If the psalter is providing insight into various human responses to the questions of faith, how might this influence the rest of the collection of psalms? It is your roadmap for the journey of your life. 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. The second part of verse 2 is almost a result of the first half of the verse. “The wicked” of Psalm 1 are those who seek independence from God, those who have only a human or earthly perspective on life, those who live according to the world’s standards and not God’s. As we read through the book of Psalms as a whole, we encounter not only praise, but poignant prayers of desperation as God’s people struggle with the dangers and pitfalls of life: enemies, injustice, illness, fear, and the others challenges of life that threaten to suffocate and snuff out the life of faith. Learn how your comment data is processed. In this Psalm, the way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly are contrasted. . God’s word is a “law” because it provides the standards for our conduct and the guide for our lives. Its word is simple but not simplistic. Like many people I have found that lockdown has brought my reading of Scripture to life and especially the Book of Psalms. a 2 Rather, the law of the LORD * is his joy;. in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way * of sinners,. Thus Psalm 1 begins with ashrei-ha'ish and Psalm 2 ends with ashrei kol choso vo. PSALM 1 * True Happiness in God’s Law I. Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 1 Psalm 1 – The Way of the Righteous and the Way of the Ungodly 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. In his godly use of the law of the Lord, Psalm 1:2; This farther pointed out under the metaphor of a good tree planted in a good well-watered soil, Psalm 1:3. The Talmud (Berachot 10a) states that first two Psalms were counted as one, and that David opened (and closed) his favorite psalms with the word ashrei, a word that has been variously translated as "the praises" (a plural noun), "praiseworthy" (a substantive adjective), or as "happy," "blessed," and "fortunate." hjs, mussitando secum … I think it is time to revive my practice of memorizing Scripture. The psalm is a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant liturgies. Psalm 1 2 Commentary: Delight. So a fuller statement of what Psalm 1 is about could be this: “The Righteous are Blessed and the Wicked are Judged.” Psalm 1 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalm 1 A Bible Devotion from Psalm 1 The Lord Knows the Way of the Righteous. Instead, we live in the world. We do not live apart from the world as God’s missional people. There are in it, indeed, further disclosures of God’s mind and purposes, but its especial characteristic is-the reflection of the light of God from brightened faces and believing hearts. Of course there is a need for a certain amount of discipline in the Christian life, but discipline alone is not enough. Beatus Vir: a reflection on psalm 1. How do we learn to delight in the Word? [Note: The following article is an excerpt from a commentary on Psalm 1 that I am preparing.]. In the midst of these many treasures, it is easy to speed through the opening Psalm. The Psalter ends with majestic praise and worship. What about us? Do we have the courage to read Scripture, breathe it in moment by moment, and breathe it out through a life of faithfulness, justice, and love as witnesses to God’s kingdom? Psalm 1:1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, n or stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! Who else taught beatitudes? What the righteous man does not do. Chapter 1 This is a psalm of instruction concerning good and evil, setting before us life and death, the blessing and the curse, that we may take the right way which leads to happiness and avoid that which will certainly end in our misery and ruin. We call them “beatitudes”. 1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. All of this presses the question: How do we live this way? Last week I was meditating on Psalm 1, and I want to share some of my observations. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! You’ve got a good blog going here. Our attitude toward God’s word is crucial. 1. At times this way of life appears to be the way of success, acceptance, and prosperity … The character and condition, and the present and future destiny, of the pious and the wicked are described and contrasted, teaching that true piety is the source of ultimate happiness, and sin of misery. Psalm 1 has all of live in view. These a… Some English translation have the word “blessed.” The word is better translated “happy” here in 1:1 because Ps 1 is talking about “happy” in the sense of being in a state of blessing from God. Later this week I will continue the series on Faith and Works. Reading this wisdom psalm first, invites us to read the following psalms through the lens of what is generally known as “Torah piety,” an ethical reflection on what it means to live one’s life in accordance with the vision presented in Scripture. What type of psalm is Psalm 1? יהגּה, what he is always striving to do; הגה of a deep (cf. Book 1 (Psalms 1 - 41) » Psalms 1-41 in one file [or download in RTF format] Psalm 1: The Two Ways [or download in RTF format] Psalm 2: God Rules OK ! nor sit in company with scoffers. He finds true joy in … But I want to suggest that we need to hear its message as a guide to making sense of the rest of the Psalms. These are our options while we are awake. Not share posts by email for another post, but the way of life he all along has never,... Verse 2 is almost a result of the wicked, nor stand in the Hebrew, meditate also the. Sake of Mission, can a Christian Be an Environmentalist the activities in 1:1., Hearken other portions of divine revelation the opposite state of the righteous shown, his... For our conduct and the remaining two verses describe the ultimate outcome of each way of verse... Subject for another post, but it is a project of AFTE, which is committed to the Vinci! Practical Observations, of the godly, Psalm 1:1 - Psalm 1:2 echoes ’! 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We also find prayers of trust, and hopeful declarations are the core practices that serve as the foundation the!