Two Roads

Introduction:

Background on the Psalms

Written over a period of 1000 years. The oldest psalm in the collection is probably the prayer of Moses (90), a reflection on the frailty of man as compared to the eternity of God. The latest psalm is probably (137), a song of lament clearly written during the days when the Hebrews were being held captive by the Babylonians, from about 586 to 538 B.C. This also tells us that they are not in chronological order.

It was also compiled into 5 different sections or books. Many scholars believe that those 5 books are intended to reflect the Torah or the first 5 books of the OT.

The brief descriptions that introduce the psalms have David listed as author in 73 instances. David’s personality and identity are clearly stamped on many of these psalms. While it is clear that David wrote many of the individual psalms, he is definitely not the author of the entire collection. Two of the psalms (72 and 127) are attributed to Solomon, David’s son and successor. Psalm 90 is a prayer assigned to Moses. Another group of 12 psalms (50) and (73—83) is ascribed to the family of Asaph. The sons of Korah wrote 11 psalms (42, 44—49, 84—85, 87—88). Psalm 88 is attributed to Heman, while Psalm 89 is assigned to Ethan the Ezrahite. Fifty of the psalms designate no specific person as author, although two of those are designated elsewhere in the Bible as psalms of David.

The Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers, poems, and hymns that focus the worshiper’s thoughts on God in praise and adoration. Parts of this book were used as a hymnal in the worship services of ancient Israel. The musical heritage of the psalms is demonstrated by its title. It comes from a Greek word which means "a song sung to the accompaniment of a musical instrument."

In many places these songs of praise also serve as prophecy foreshadowing the life, death, resurrection and second coming of Christ.

One thing that we must not loose sight of as we study the Psalms is that they are very much intended to appeal to our emotions. This is poetry and music. Allow it to move you intellectually, volitionally but also emotionally. There are Psalms that makes laugh and smile and there are Psalms that make us cry. LET THEM!

Introduction of our concept

Two Roads tract

In the end there is only one thing that separates us knowing Christ or not.

The Road of Blessing

What does it mean to be blessed?

Psalm 32:1–2 “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.”

Psalm 34:8 “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”

Psalm 65:4 “Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.”

Psalm 89:15 “Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance.”

Separation v. 1

On the road of blessing there are certain separations that must take place in the life of the blessed.

I know separation isn’t a popular word. There are those in the church who want to separate from everything and those in the church who won’t separate from anything. What we are looking for is a biblically balanced approach.

The Psalmist teaches us that there are three arenas in which the blessed is separated from the world.

Separate in Thinking - Doesn’t walk in their counsel

This is where the influence of the world often begins.

If they can convince you that this sin isn’t as bad as you thought it was or that being compassionate is more important than what is true.

It is important to be compassionate, but it is not intrinsically more important than being right.

We must remember that truth and reality go hand in hand with compassion. It is not compassionate to validate someone off the edge of a cliff.

Christians often have this weird idea that the influence of the world won’t affect them. If you can watch other people sin without acknowledging it as sin you have been affected by the influence of the world.

I am begging you, please don’t just mindlessly indulge in the world’s entertainment.

It gives men a false view of women

It gives women a false view of men

When was the last time you saw a Christian portrayed positively by the media?

It will give you a false view of God - illustration: the Shack

Separate in Behavior - Doesn’t stand with them in their sin

If we don’t separate from their counsel eventually it will affect our behavior.

It starts with small compromises and good intentions.

Every alcoholic took their first sip at some point. They were likely following the example of someone who was telling them that it would be okay either in work or example.

Separate in Belonging - Doesn’t sit with them in their mockery

Eventually you will come to the place where you are not only committing the sin but you also believe that you are right to do so.

Everyone who says otherwise is a legalistic pharisee

Now you are dragging others down with you.

Focus v. 2

Here the Psalmist reminds us that a truly blessed individual lives a life focused on the Word of God.

The phrase used here is the “law of the Lord” which refers to the entirety of God’s divine revelation.

It is actually the Hebrew word “Torah”

Which means more than just “law” as we would understand it today as in commandments and rules.

It also includes the idea of instruction or descriptions of reality.

The word “law” is used multiple times in the NT to describe the whole of God’s revelation.

The blessed man is first focused on the word of God because his delight is in the word of God.

The Psalmist is making a contrast the blessed man does not live in sin but rather delights in God’s Word.

What does it mean to delight in something?

Those who walk, stand and sit with the world are attempting to find delight in things other than God.

Dictionary: a high degree of pleasure or enjoyment; joy; rapture:

The Psalmist is saying that the alternative to walking, standing and sitting in sin is to find your joy in the Word of God.

How or Why? Psalm 32:1–2 “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.”

Psalm 40:7–8 “Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.””

This forces us to ask a very simple question, do you delight in the reading, study and meditation of God’s Word?

Well, I am not really much of a reader.

I am going to shoot straight with you this morning. Become a reader! Because here is the crux of the matter God gave us a book not a movie or a podcast, a book.

The blessed person is secondly focused on the Word of God because they meditated on it consistently.

The obvious question is, what does it mean to meditate on the Word of God?

In a sense it is what we are doing now.

Meditation on Scripture means to:

Memorize it (repetition)

Ponder it

Share it

Apply it

Attend to it

A man who delights in the Scriptures will meditate on it.

Security v. 3

Figure of Speech - Simile

5 Things to Consider About the Tree

Intentional - Planted

Location

Useful

Health

Prosperity

The Road of Judgment

Separation v. 4

Another figure of speech - simile

The ungodly traveling on the road of judgment are like chaff

Chaff: the husks of grain or other seed separated by winnowing or threshing.

The farmer would take his harvest to the highest hill and throw it up in the air. The grain would fall back down to the ground and the chaff would be blown away. So what is the Psalmist saying about the ungodly on the road of judgment?

They are Fruitless

They are Rootless

They are Weightless

They are Worthless

That’s not nice! Truth sometimes hurts. Is an unbeliever is dead in their trespasses and sins. How useful to the glory of God can they be? How useful are you without Christ?

What is the basic truth the Psalmist is illustrating? There is coming a day when the grain and the chaff will be separated.

The Psalms will give you a realistic view of the way life works. In reading and studying the Psalms we understand that for a time the chaff will prosper.

Psalm 37:35 “I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree.”

Verdict v. 5

They will not stand up under the judgment of God.

They will be separated from the righteous like a prisoner is separated from society.

Death v. 6

Contrast:

The Lord knows the way of the righteous.

This means more than just knowledge of their way.

It means that He guards and protects the way of the righteous

But the ungodly shall perish.

The way of the ungodly leads to death.