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. 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. There are three things the man who is blessed must avoid. 6:4f; 1 Cor. Psalm 1 The Ways of the Righteous and the Wicked. 1. Again compare Lot in Genesis 13:12-13; 19:1. Truth God desires in the heart. Knows does not mean simply to have knowledge of something. 3:6-7). I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Their way of life gains them nothing with God, so it too will perish. 3:5-6). He operates in the sphere of Gods enablement, supply, and direction (Ps. 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. From this retrogressive process, it is easy to see that people simply do not remain passive about God. i. Note again the recurring biblical principle: First the root, then fruit. In August of 2001 he was diagnosed with lung cancer and on August 29th, 2002 he went home to be with the Lord. It needs the Bible! The word delight was also used of that in which one takes delight as in ones business, pursuits, or affairs of life. He will do it all by himself. 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! (2) - The Lord makes him to lie down in green pastures - The Lord leads him besides the still waters 5) How does David describe the spiritual necessities provided by the Lord? Now listen to the sound of the text in Hebrew, a~shr? This emphasis is borne out throughout Scripture (cf. Gods word is always the best counselor, and godly counselors will always bring the truth of Gods word to help someone who wants counseling. 2:1b where it means, devise). Isaiah 57:20-21 But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. It is the principle of living life independently of the details of life for ones happiness (Phil. 4 R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer, Jr., Bruce K. Waltke, Theological Word Book of the Old Testament, Vol. Interestingly, it comes from a word which means to go straight, go forward, advance, set right. The root verb (a`sh~r) means: (a) to proceed, advance in the way of understanding (Prov. Blessing is pronounced, but only on those who comply with certain divine demands or spiritual qualities. Personal Integrity in Work (Psalm 1) Back to Table of Contents The two opening psalms establish themes that run through the entire Psalter. 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. They are on a broad path that may seem comfortable now and the path gives them lots of company, but in the end they shall perish. It is not only reading that does us good; but the soul inwardly feeding on it, and digesting it. The Apostle Paul emphatically teaches us that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is anchored in Christ (Rom. Many lack because they only read and do not meditate. We can say these speak of thinking, behaving, and belonging. a. Its the picture of mental, emotional, and spiritual stability in every kind of situation (see Phil. 7 R. Kent Hughes, The Coming Evangelical Crisis, John H. Armstrong, General Editor, Moody Press, Chicago, 1996, p. 94-95. It means to mock, deride, ridicule, scoff. Grammatically, it is a participle of habitual action. 24). 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. Of these, Psalm 110 is the climax. 54:12, precious, delightful stones, and Mal. But His. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 1:30; Col. 1:13). 5:11-13). Way refers to lifes course or path. One of the reasons Scripture is a delight, like honey in the honey comb, is because it is truth. 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. Verse 4 uses loa, the negative particle of absolute negation. The man (or woman) of blessedness and spiritual stability is one whose life is built on and bathed in the Scripture. For the righteous (believers in Christ), there is Gods pre-vision, and so also Gods pro-vision so that even when they fail and sin, God has foreknown us and provided for us in the complete and finished work of Jesus Christ. 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. 37:3-5). Psalm 1 describes personal integrity, indicating that this is how every reader should live. First, he told him, Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching (1 Tim. Applications of this principle for the New Testament believer are multiplied ad infinitum both positionally (Eph. It takes the basic themes of OT theology and turns them into song: Monotheism. 4:17f). (3) Then there is the contrast between the results of the two ways of life; the godly are stable and fruitful, but the ungodly are unstable and face sure judgment. We can live in God's trust not only for a good night's sleep, but amidst the reality of death. 3:1-4). (5) EmblematicOne line conveys the main point, the second line illuminates it by an image (42:1; 23:1). 12:33-34). In their carnality they become unrestrained and impoverished in their spiritual lives. Summary: Psalm 1 introduces us to two "characters" or types of people: the blessed person and the wicked person. The righteous man knows where to find completely godly counsel: Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors (Psalm 119:24). In its season is literally in its time, i.e., at the proper, suitable time (Ps. It is whatever misses the will of God for man doctrinally or morally. Then in 4:17-19 he warns Christians against living like the unbelieving world in the futility of their minds, minds that are not being nourished by the water of Gods Word. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. How would you summarize the main point(s) and idea(s) of this psalm? 6 Gary W. Johnson, The Coming Evangelical Crisis, John H. Armstrong, General Editor, Moody Press, Chicago, 1996, p. 61. He who acts by bad counsel may soon do evil deeds; and he who abandons himself to evil doings may end his life in total apostasy from God. (Clarke). Then there is a~l, which expresses subjective or relative negation with an appeal to the will. As Jesus spoke of bearing fruit in John 15:5, as we abide in Him. As one reflects back on this wonderful introductory Psalm, it is clear that the central issue is Gods awesome and holy Word, the Scripture. 2 I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." 3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The righteous man will not sit in that seat! 6:19-24). Planted is a participle of the Hebrew verb sh`t~l. Psalm 13-6. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. 2:2; 2 Pet. Fruit also has a season. 3:18). In Old Testament times there were the prophets and teaching priests; there was even a school of the prophets led by Elijah and Elisha. 1:4-6). (4) Gods own special blessing and use of our gifts (1 Cor. Explanation of Main Idea 6 Because Jehovah knows the way of the a righteous, but the path of the b ill will . It is a most uncomfortable position in which to read. This psalm is packed with promises from God, and it is a beautiful declaration of His protection and care for His people. It connotes movement toward the formation of habits or patterns. Streams is P#l#G from P*l^G and means to divide, split. The word was used of cutting a water channel for irrigation, or of the land divided by rivers, ravines, and streams. It refers to those who are guided and controlled by their own desires, emotions, impulses of the mind and flesh rather than by the Word and the Holy Spirit. c. Walks not in the counsel of the ungodly: The ungodly have counsel, and the righteous man will not walk in it. For a similar idea compare the wheat and tares (Matt. 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. With verse 4 we come to a very strong contrast. What did Paul tell his young coworker in the faith? 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? God often engineers failure as mirrors of reproof and instruments of growth. 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. Psalm 91 is a powerful and well-loved psalm that has been a source of comfort and strength for Christians throughout the ages. Psalm chapter 16. 14:10-11; 1 Cor. 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. 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. This is the message of this Psalm. 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. This refers to the judgment of all unbelieving dead or those raised in the resurrection for judgment (see John 5:29). 3:16 and 2 Pet. But the primary focus of this text is on the future judgment. 2:1-12; Matt. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. It refers to a restless, unquiet condition which, in its agitation and unquieted passions, runs from one thing to another seeking happiness and peace, often at the hurt of others. We can then too easily become an associate of those who scoff at Gods plan and ignore His counsel. 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. Each tree is to have some fruit. 22:11-13). 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. Past Gallup polls which compared the churched and unchurched showed there was basically no difference in the way they lived their lives. (c) By substituting ones own ideas, experiences, emotions, feelings, or traditions for the Word and its principles. 1:17; 2:11; Matt. He meditates is an imperfect tense of habitual action. Lets look at each of these three negative statements in their three-fold breakdown: Does not walk. Walk is the Hebrew h`l^K which metaphorically means, to go along with, follow a course of action, or to live, follow a way of life. It has the idea of go along with, use, follow. The tense is decisive, he is one who has chosen not to follow this path. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. 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). 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. In New Testament times we have pastors or elders who are to teach as well as other teachers (Eph. 11:25-27; 3:21f; 4:1f). 90:1 ), present love ( Ps. It is that which is worthless, of no value. Our word P#l#G refers to canals or water courses provided for irrigation. He also prospers because, as such a man, he uses Scripture as a guide for how he does what he does. The unrighteous are ultimately worthless to God and generally worthless to society since they corrupt and feed on others. It warns us how man is prone to turn aside little by little and become more and more entangled in the web of sin. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. 10:3-5; 119:53 with 54 and 119:155 with 165). It declares the blessedness of the righteous and the misery and future of the wicked. The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. Matt. This is to be our habit, and it will be if we obey verse 2 and Gods commands. There are several categories of fruit: (a) The character of Jesus Christ (Gal. We may request cookies to be set on your device. 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. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. 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. 2:8-9; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; Heb. The Theological Word Book of the Old Testament points out this word may be used for that which a person wishes strongly to do or have.2 It means to feel great favor toward something. The emphasis of this word is that the desire is caused in the subject by the intrinsic qualities that are found in the object desired (cf. The fruit comes naturally from this tree, because it is planted by the rivers of water. Edwards hastens to note that "foundational to everythingeven Peter's use of the OTis the person and ministry of Jesus . It also means being prepared to bear fruit when opportunity knocks (2 Tim. They need to wait until they bring forth fruit in its season. Note how these three verses in Ephesians parallel Psalm 1:1: 17 This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind. It also means ungodly, godless, or negative toward God, loose from God, without Him as an anchor or controlling factor. But the way of the ungodly shall perish. But is Ka]m in the Hebrew text. 4:14; Jer. Then we can quite naturally begin to behave like sinners, acting more and more like the world. In the path. Path is the Hebrew word D#r#K and means, a way, course of action, journey, manner, work. It refers to ones conduct, behavior patterns, habits and responses. Some get discouraged when they begin to walk as righteous men, and fruit is not immediately evident. i. Spurgeon on chaff: Intrinsically worthless, dead, unserviceable, without substance, and easily carried away. There is a huge difference between a tree and chaff. Unlike the grain or actual seed, it has no body or substance and is blown about by the wind, always unstable. But in the life of the righteous man, God brings forth something good and wonderful out of everything. This is why Christ had to die for our sin so we might have His righteousness. b. They express the emotions, personal feelings, attitudes, gratitude, and interests of the average individual. It is a short Psalm with only a few main points, but these points are immensely significant. In eastern meditation, the goal is to empty the mind. It means to stop, to be firm. From merely walking in their counsel, one becomes more confirmed in the way of the wicked, more involved and influenced. Psalm 51:6 (show verse) Homicide David's repentance for, and confession of, the murder of uriah. Blessedness and spiritual stability in every kind of situation ( see John 5:29.! The misery and future of the details of life three negative statements in their three-fold breakdown: does mean. 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