The Book of Prayer

While most of the Bible is God speaking to us, Psalms is God speaking for us to Him.

The first two chapters represent a summary of the book of Psalms and even all of Scripture.

The first theme developed in Psalms is:

There are two very different paths in life that will determine our destiny - Psalm 1

The description of the “Blessed One” - Psalm 1:1-2

Psalm 1:1–2 NIV

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, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

What the Blessed One does not do (the negative)

There is a progression of association with the wicked:

Walking - Going along with the wicked

Standing - Identifying with the wicked

Sitting - Completely comfortable with wickedness

What the Blessed One does do (the positive)

His delight is in God’s law (attitude)

He meditates continuously (actions)

The Outcomes for the Blessed One - Psalm 1:3

Psalm 1:3 NIV

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

The Blessed One is characterized by fruitfulness

The tree has the essential resources as we have the resources of God’s provision

It is consistently fruitful

It does not succumb to disease

Together, this results in prosperity

“Not so the wicked” - Psalm 1:4-6

Psalm 1:4–6 NIV

Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

In contrast with the fruitful tree, the wicked are depicted as useless chaff

Psalm 1:5 NIV

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

In contrast to the blessed, the wicked are destined to separation from God

(parallelism suggests the two phrases are synonomous)

Psalm 1:6 NIV

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

In contrast to the blessed, the wicked are destined to destruction unless they repent

(antithetic parallelism contrasts these statements

This Psalm presents two distinct paths and each of us must determine which path we are taking.

This is a major theme of Scripture from beginning to end.

There is a Sovereign Authority in our Life - Psalm 2

This Psalm was recognised as a Royal Psalm with multiple applications, all of which are true.

It presents a king which was recognized as God Himself, God’s anointed Kings of Israel and the anointed Messiah, Jesus Christ.

In this way it ties together the Old and New testaments.

The Psalm begins with the rebellion of the nations against God - Psalm 2:1-3

Psalm 2:1–3 NIV

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”

The rebellion is against God

The rebellion is also against His anointed

The rebellion views God as enslaving them

One of the primary objections to God is that people want to make their own decisions, free from God’s directives.

The reality is that every command of God both Protects us and Provides for us something we could not experience apart from God’s law

Thou Shalt not steal protects from theft and provides the right to property

Thou shalt not commit adultery protects from all the hurt caused by unfaithfulness and provides the the intimacy of a committed relationship

The Response of God - Psalm 2:4-6

Psalm 2:4–6 NIV

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”

God responds with scoffing laughter

God responds with justified anger

God responds by installing His king despite our rebellion

Our rebellion does not change God’s plan

The establishment of a king confirms His authority in our lives

It was true of David and all of Israel’s kings

It is and will be true of Jesus Christ

God addresses His King - Psalm 2:7-9

Psalm 2:7–9 NIV

I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

God established a special relationship with His anointed, beginning with David and continuing to the Messiah - Psalm 2:7

Psalm 2:7 NIV

I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.

This relationship was promised in the Davidic Covenant - 2 Samuel 7:11-16

2 Samuel 7:11–16 (NIV)

“ ‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you:

When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom.

He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands.

But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you.

Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ ”

God gave His anointed one ultimate authority - Psalm 2:8-9

Psalm 2:8–9 NIV

Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

God warns us to submit to the King - Psalm 2:10-12

Psalm 2:10–12 NIV

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

What will you do with God our King?

What will you do About His Son Jesus Christ?

It is easy to see the warnings and focus on the wrath of God, but remember the great promises to the Blessed one