The Path of Life: Psalm 1
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
This morning begins a new series in our church. Over the next three months we are going to spend some time working through to some degree the whole book of Psalms.
To be honest, like all other series that we have done lately, three months is really not enough time to properly cover the many Psalms; however, I trust that this process we are going through that it will give you a desire to pursue this more in depth on your own in your personal study of the scripture.
You may be wondering why the Psalms were chosen for a series. We have in the past covered Psalms. We read many of the Psalms, why a sermon series?
One of the blessings of this church’s leadership is the desire for me to spend some time on Professional Development. This allowed me the time to take in a Seminary Course dedicated to the entire book of Psalm and has lead to this series.
let me begin by this
A few weeks ago, Josh showed the children a picture that either was a bunny or a duck
I’m going to show you a picture and you decide for yourselves what you see.
For some of you the faces are seen first, while others, the vase.
Why perspective.
We all come to scripture with a perspective. How God has shaped us, driven us, experiences we have had, all take a part in the development of our understanding and in some cases the interpretation of scripture.
I am not advocating that people can interpret scripture any way they like, but there are parts of how we approach the text.
The Study of the Psalms is one of those perspective.
How have you been taught, or study the book of Psalms?
For some, they have become a collection of God’s Words assembled into various headings.
A collection of different writers assembled for us to read.
Other see the books as Wisdom literature, while others Poetry literature.
Others see it as a book that was used for worship. A OT Hymn book.
Others see its groupings tied to another.
Have you noticed that in some bibles you will see the Psalms have been divided into 5 different Books.
What is the significance of those books?
Is there a reason one Psalm is in one and not the other.
You may even say, Pastor, I’ve read the Psalm and some of the Psalms appear to repeat or copy from one to another.
You are wondering where all this is going, what do I believe, my answer to many of these questions and statements are
YES
But,
I want to take you to a perspective and a widening view of scholars of the arrangement and over arching arrangement of these Psalms.
You see the Psalms we read today have come through a process and collection and arrangement through editorial team. Scholars had debated over the years, but for us to understand, I want you to take a look at a viewpoint of the arrangement.
Book Division: A new perspective
Book Division: A new perspective
The Five books of Psalms Arrangements have been viewed as a collection of Psalms for worship centered around 5 major themes of the life of the People of God.
Book One Ps 1-41-
The installation of the monarchy. Psalms to celebrate and directed at the role of the monarchy. There is hints of who the real king should, and someday will be for the people of God.
Book Two Ps 42- 72
Deals with perspectives on the failure and the collapse of the monarchy. A human monarchy is not what was expected by the people as they cried out for a king and yet it begins to colaspe.
Book Three- Ps 71-89
Psalms and worship poetry on the darkest history of the people, mainly the exile from their land. How many times do we find comfort and hope as we read through this section in our own times of despair and exile.
Book Four Ps 90-106
This section of the psalms deal with the people’s return to the covenant. A coming back to the Lord in a new and refreshed way.
Book Five -Ps 107-150
The Final is one that deals withe topic of restoration-
Restoration of a new land, their people and the future. It gives us a glimpse of our future state as well when Christ will return.
I bring this to your attention for your consideration because I believe it is good to see the entire book of Psalms as not stand alone passages but a greater purpose.
They were written, sang, spoken for specific times but as one author writes,
It is, in my opinion, pre-eminently in this careful shaping an arrangement of the psalms in the Psalter that these “very human words to God have made the shift to become God's word to us.” This is where biblical theology intersects with historical-critical reading of the psalms. Reading the psalms from beginning to end forces us to set aside their own preconceptions and calls us won't perceive need driving force over the psalms. Such openness allows God's freedom to challenge, in front and ultimately transform us in ways we do not control or even expect.- Interpreting the Psalms: Issues and Approaches- pg 141
When we see the Psalms as a whole book rather than a collection of poems, we must look as Psalm one as the driving force behind the whole collection of Psalms.
Its a story of the replaying of the life of the people of God.
Let’s Pray-
Book 1 Overview
Book 1 Overview
With all this in mind, let me give you an overview of the book one in the Psalms.
As I said earlier it is a rise to the Davidic Monarchy.
The people had cried out to God for a king and he answered by putting David on the throne. Many of the Psalms have been ascribed or understood to be David’s writting, but in some of the cases as we go through these Psalms it could be a Psalm of praise in the raising up a king like that of David.
There has been no other earthy king like that of David.
But to begin the entire book of Psalms, we begin with Psalm one.
Turn with me in your bibles to Psalm 1
Psalm 1 (ESV)
1 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;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1
Psalm 1
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 5: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs Psalm 1: God’s Blessing on the Godly
The placing of this psalm at the beginning of the Psalter is significant because it both invites and encourages God’s people to live godly lives.
The Entire book of the Psalms are targeting us for spiritual growth.
Not a spiritual practice but a heart change.
Psalms have been marked as a liturgy, a program for following God.
Liturgy, sometimes when it is led down that road we will end up with legalism.
Liturgy, sometimes temps people into rigidity and manipulation and will end up with a religion, full of seeking what you can get out of God.
All forms of Liturgy, by the way is not bad, without a correct corresponding heart for God, it does not please God.
Psalm one addresses this problem by showing through poetry that the real issue is one who is seeking after the very Heart of God.
What it means to live a life of Blessings
What it means to live a life of Blessings
The Psalm opens up with “Blessed is the man”
Blessed- (< ASH WAY)
Characterized by one who is happy and being highly favored ( as by Divine Grace)
How many times have you said to someone, God’s blessing to you?
We are encouraged by someone who calls this out to us,
We desire deeply to be blessed by God, but when Psalm one begins with this phrase we must be careful track how this blessing comes about.
Can and does God go around and randomly bless people, Yes
Is there some special line we need to attend so that we can get a blessing from God, No.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
If you have accepted Christ and the work on the cross for your life, this verse applies to you. The blessing described here is a Divine action toward you. The english, blessing from the greek word here is different than the Blessed english word from the Hebrew
In Ephesians, we are blessed, but Do we, as followers of Christ, automatically receive this blessing described her in Psalm 1, Let’s find out.
You see as it has been stated,
blessed or happy is not given directly by God...
It is not an automatic response from God says the writer...
but it comes from a direct result of one’s action - WBC pg 60
The Decision vs 1
The Decision vs 1
If you are wondering how one would sign up for God’s blessing it begins with a decision on our part. IN our lives.
Psalm 1:1 (ESV)
1 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;
The decision to be living a blessed life we must examine the three different aspects of our lives.
Aspects of our walking, our standing, and where we sit.
This sums up most of our daily actions. It sums up our “taking in” actions. Things that we hear and listen and observe.
Our Walking
Our Walking
Let’s start with our walk. It involves our lifestyle or behaviour in a specified manner.
It’s the people in our lives that are, well, most influential for us.
How many times do you remember your parents, or if your a parent right now, have guided your children by saying this.
“It’s important to pick the right friends”
Or maybe you heard or speak this line to children as they are growing up.
“I’m don’t think that person is a good influence on you”
Is this just parenting 101 or does it come from the truth found in this passage.
Look at the verse again.
ps 1:1 “1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
Who walks not.
The writer of the Psalm is showing the negative action.
Do not walk in the counsel of the wicked.
Where do you walk to for advice.
Where or who is your go to person or source in times of counsel. Are you connected with a group of people who offer advice to you.
Now that you are thinking of your source of counsel, advice,
Are they described as wicked.
Pretty harsh words.
How do you know the difference between good and wicked.
Turn to the book of proverbs.
Proverbs has been described this way,
English Standard Version Introduction
Practical wisdom for living is the central concern of the book of Proverbs. We are told that the beginning and essence of wisdom is the fear of the Lord (1:7; 9:10). Proverbs often contrasts the benefits of seeking wisdom and the pitfalls of living a fool’s life. While the wicked stumble in “deep darkness” (4:19), “the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day” (v. 18).
How can you know whether or not your counsel is wicked or not.
Compare it to the words of Scripture.
Does that mean that we go through our library and through out anything written from an author that does not hold to the same faith as ours, no.
It does mean that is not what we live our lives our our Walk.
God’s truth can be told through the non-believer, but it will Always, be back up in scripture.
I have been told, that those folks who are trained to seek out counterfiet money are trained only with the real thing. They are so immersed in the real money, that when their hands touch the fake that they know right away.
Are we so immersed in the truth of God
that when we even have the slightest hint in our walk of counterfeit truth that we can spot it right away.
Ps 1:1 “1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
Our Standing
Our Standing
The second part of our life is our standing.
ps 1:1 “ nor stands in the way of sinners, ”
This week as I was meditating on this verse and reading it over and over, I thought about this phrase.
Standing in the way of Sinners.
This too is a negative approach, challenging us not to stand in the way, but I pondered what does
“Standing in the way” mean for us today.
Are we to stop blocking the way of the people who are going to do what they have set out to do no matter who is in their way.
Are we not to challenge people’s thinking in the direction and choices in their lives as they continue in their sin?
Do we say, “ You want to do that, go right ahead, don’t let me stop you!”
All of these thoughts rolled through my head as I pondered this part of the verse, then I began to do some research into how it has been translated.
the verb, the action in Hebrew in this passage is
“is to hold onto one’s ground, maintain a position, be steadfast, or upright.”
I think of the guard who stand fully strong in front of their post.
This action is to let the viewer know that he or she is not moving from that position.
The question, no matter what the subject is, is not up for debate.
Like the previous one, the writer of this Psalm is telling us not to stand with the position of the sinner.
The sinner. We are all sinners, who have been saved by the grace of God.
The sinner in this context is “a person who has disobeyed any divine command or neglected duty”
In other words, those who take a stand against God.
because, reapeat with me.
ps 1:1 “1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners.
Our Sitting
Our Sitting
The last do not action is that of sitting.
The sense of this verb is a continuous action verb.
To sit and continue to sit,
To dwell with.
Be inhabited,
And in some cases Marry- or be joined with the people.
Does this mean we are to avoid all contact with the lost, by no means.
Jesus gave us the greatest example.
He came to the lost, because they are the ones that needed him. They were the lost of the kingdom of heaven,
This thought of sitting is in the realm and idea of dwelling and abiding with them.
Like a police officer that goes under deep cover to give the appearance that they are like them.
Sitting with the scoffer and calling out against the truth.
because, repeat with me.....
Ps 1:1 “1 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;”
The Delight vs 2
The Delight vs 2
After the author lays out the foundation of our lives, in our walking, standing and sitting, he then moves on to what we are to do.
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
One translation describes it this way
ps 1:2
2 Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands; he meditates on his commands day and night.
What brings you pleasure or delight.
Are you marked by the Words of Scripture. Do they roll off your tongue in all your speech and thought.?
Is it the first thing you reach for and the last thing you read at night.
ps 119:103 “103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
The Psalmist is not describing how a blessed person shall live.
The delight is found in the source and its supplication
The Source
The Source
God’s Word is the source of our strength .
Many have taken the entire book of Psalms and described them similar to the book of Law.
The Law for life in God.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
It’s the source of our light in this darkened world.
Are you having trouble seeing the path that God has chosen for you, Open His Word and He will light your path.
The Supplication
The Supplication
The second part of the Delight is in how we apply it to our lives.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
The Perfect Law of God, It’s unchanging, immovable and it should be the source of all our strength.
because:
1 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;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
The Description vs 3-4
The Description vs 3-4
So once the Psalmist and his description of what would are to avoid and what should bring us pleasure, the then moves onto the description of the blessed person.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
The Three Fold Image
The Three Fold Image
Notice that once again the Psalmist pens a three fold description of the Blessed Man/Women
Tree
Tree
Not only is it a tree for a tree cannot stand alone to survive.
It is planted by streams of water
Tree:
Planted by a nourishing source
Tree:
Planted by a nourishing source
Produces a nourishing fruit
a fruit in season… we all go through various seasons of our lives, and that is a sermon all on its own. Imagine the four seasons. Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall.
Tree:
Planted by a nourishing source
Produces a nourishing fruit
Sustainable force
Once again we hear the words of the Psalmist:
1 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; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
The Wicked
The Wicked
Keeping with the theme of choice, the Psalmist reminds us that the wicked are not left un-acknowledged
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
I so often see in this world people striving for chaff that amounts to nothing.
The other day, I went to the store and picked up a few straw bails for my wife.
Chaff. It’s amazing how much one has to pay for chaff.
The small pieces in moving the bales to the car, are now blowing around in our back lane, no purpose, no direction. worth nothing.
The Destination vs 5-6
The Destination vs 5-6
The final stage of this poetry is the destination of the two types of people.
It has been written that,
“The Psalm was probably not composed in the first instance for use in formal worship; Rather, it must be viewed as a literary and poetic composition, expressing with remarkable clarity the polarity of persons in their destinies.”- WBC pg 59
The Upright & The Wicked
The Upright & The Wicked
Look at verse 5
ps 1:5 “5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation (Sit) of the righteous;”
Ps 1:6 “6 for the Lord knows the way (Walk) of the righteous, but the way (Walk) of the wicked will perish.”
The Psalmist ends the Psalm the same way that he began.
Were is your Walking, Standing , and were do you sit.
A blessed man/women is one who follows God’s Word.
Conclusion
Conclusion
As the worship team comes up and prepares to lead us in a Song of Response, may I leave you with this challenge.
Box- The things I treasure
Response to Worship
Response to Worship
Benediction
Benediction