Psalm 1 & 2....Part I

The Kingdom Corner with Matt Geib

PSALMS CLASS 09/12/22

Why Psalm 1 & 2 Are An Introduction to ALL The Psalms:

1. There are no opening Inscriptions to either them ( 2 of 3 w/o)
2. The MSS ran all Psalms together, no chapter breaks, so considered as ONE chpt.
3. Psalm 2 like Ps. 1 is credited to David & both seem to flow together

Acts 4:25 who [a]by the mouth of Your servant David have said: Why did the nations rage & the people plot vain things

Acts 13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

( see Ps. 2:7--the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.)

4. BOTH Psalms 1 & 2 contain the general content & tenor of ALL PSALMS

Comparisons/Contrasts of PSALM 1 & 2:

1. 1 focused on Individual/Ps. 2 focused on nations
2. BOTH Ps. Contrast wicked vs. Righteous…Ps. 1 Right. Man /wicked man & Ps. 2 Right ntns./wicked ntns.
3. Also in same way Blessing is contrasted to cursing, as individuals/ntns.
4. The right. Man/ntns. do such & become such & such…The wicked man/ntns. Do such & such & become such & such
5. BOTH Psalms show the FAITHFULNESS of God Individually/nationally..Blessing & Judgment are shown to be the clear, direct & OVERIDING Themes
6. BOTH Psalms show the INDISSOLUBLE connection between righteousness & Blessings vs. Wickedness & Cursings
7. BOTH Psalms also show the BLESSING/Non Blessing of a Fulfilled/Unfullfilled Covenant by Yahweh Indiv./ntly.
8. KEYNOTE: The Blessing of Following God & God’s Faithfulness Towards UsJ
9. NOTE:The Psalms are an open hearted expression of people attempting to follow God, It takes a Spiritual Revelation to Walk with God!
10. THE successful NATION follows GOD

PSALMS 1

Psalm 1 contrasts the END of one who LOVES God’s LAW to the END of one who is Ungodly

Deut. 11:26-28 26 “Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known.

Joshua 1:8 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you[a] shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

God never did away With the LAW when the New Covenant of GRACE was ushered in through Jesus sacrifice….THE LAW is GOOD & to be followed The PSALMS testify to that…It’s just that under the covenant of Grace we appropriate/apply the Law in a NEW WAY!:-)

The Psalms are a Yeah & AMEN to The Pentateuch

PSALMS 1

1Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the [a]ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he [b]meditates day and night.

Vs. 1) BLESSED Is The Man…..

STOP RIGHT HERE!!??......And take a ‘SELAH” Moment!!...This is one of those words in the Bible that can never be FULLY Unpacked/understood….& It at times it slaps us upside the Head!!??

BLESSED (eser..Esh…air.. #H835)….blessed, happiness, HOW Happy!!! Or Blessedness of Blessedness, or Oh the Happiness of Happinesses or How completely Happy! …PLURAL in Hebrew is for Emphasis, like our !!

‘ Blessed’ is also the 1st word used in the Sermon on the Mount & this word is always related to service to God.. we were created to function best serving God

The use of the PLURAL in the Hebrew shows powerfully the MANIFOLD or many, many ways God intends to Bless the Man/woman serving HIM! ( ‘There shall be SHOWERS of Blessing!’)…POINT: God never just intends for us to Have ONE Blessing…BUT a Plethora of THEM!!!!

This person will have all the BEST of everything…gifts, possessions, desires…They will Experience COMPLETE Happiness, in every regard…Complete & Total satisfaction in ALL WAYS, having all you could ever want or desire…This is the best possible state a person could ever be in!!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,CULMINATION of course = HEAVEN…no wants, no sadness, no pain, no lacks ..NO dissatisfaction whatsoever!!...a Many faceted Word!

HARD for us to get our Minds & Hearts around! (why God made it a Plural word)

OH BUT THERE IS MORE!!!>>>>>>>>>>>>

Vs. 1) BLESSED Is The Man…..

CONTINUED…. BLESSED (eser..Esh…air.. #H835)…FROM a ROOT #H833

asar…ah-share……to go or be straight, walk straight, be well ordered, be consistent..READ from the Hebrew as to be/show one of an exceptional state…”The highest blessings attainable are given to those who walk straight & live a well ordered life”

II Peter 1:3,4 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the [a]corruption that is in the world through lust.

I Tim. 6:6 But Godliness with CONTENTMENT(sufficiency, satisfaction –(a perfect condition in life) is great gain

There is a definite connection between Happiness & Godliness!

ALL in this person is working perfectly…no Chaos or disorder all is HARMONY

THAT MAN In Hebrew language for emphasis…not just any MAN but The NEW MAN

Eph. 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.(Col. 3:10)

Eph. 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

God wants to Bless us beyond our wildest dreams or Imaginations!!

Eph. 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

BLESSEDNESS ENCOMPASSES All That God GIVES To US as we walk with Him in a straight & ordered Life…ALL That we can ever give to Him is responded to By ALL He Gives to Us in Blessing

QUESTION!? J LOL…Who GIVES the MOST!?

Our commitment to ABBA is so minimal compared to HIS Commitment to us!!

The Blessings He showers upon us are so much greater than anything we could ever get to give to Him!?!?

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is FOUNDATIONAL to a relationship with God & has roots in PSALM 1

It Is a Wonderful Revelation PSALMS starts out with ‘BLESSED’ as the FIRST word as every person wants to be BLESSED…we were made that wayJ… The PSALMS show us the path to Blessing!!

Who walks not in the counsel of the [a]ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

Verses 1-3 shows us a GROWTH PROCESS

• 1 What a man/woman of God AVOIDS
• 2 What a Man/Woman of God DELIGHTS In
• 3 What a Man/Woman of God BECOMES = A Fruitful Tree

A Progression out of Darkness(sin)…………to that of an OVERCOMER

Walks…….Stands……Sits

Counsel….Way/Path…..Seat

Ungodly….Sinners…Scornful

WALKS /Walketh NOT:Blessed is the Man/woman who has not been walking & still is NOT walking…

Is In the Perfect tense in Hebrew…David is implying BLESSING Comes only after you have begun to walk in a ‘NEW WAY’ for a TIME….It grows & flourishes…is proven out through consistency

Scripture talks about ‘not walking in’ or also‘putting off’ sin

Lev. 20:23 And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.

Jn. 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

II Cr. 5:7 For we walk by FAITH & NOT By sight

Eph. 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;….Col. 3:8,9

Col. 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Council Of The Ungodly is The advice of those unrighteous criminal, hostile, those not acknowledging God …ungodly = the loose & the lax, taking the easy or lazy way (like a harlot women)..Not strong, no stability

Pharisees & Saducees counciled against Jesus..Mtt.12:14,26:59,14:55,Mk.15:1

Acts 6,7 The council of ungodly leadership led to Stephen’s death

ROMANS1:18-26 18 For [God does not overlook sin and] the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who in their wickedness suppress and stifle the truth, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them [in their inner consciousness], for God made it evident to them. 20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through His workmanship [all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made], so that they [who fail to believe and trust in Him] are without excuse and without defense. 21 For even though [a]they knew God [as the Creator], they did not [b]honor Him as God or give thanks [for His wondrous creation]. On the contrary, they became worthless in their thinking [godless, with pointless reasonings, and silly speculations], and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God for [c]an image [worthless idols] in the shape of mortal man and birds and four-footed animals and reptiles24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their own hearts to [sexual] impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin], 25 because [by choice] they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading and vile passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural [a function contrary to nature],

Hang up on The Devil!

Standing/Stands in The WAY/PATH of Sinners …..A further slide from just listening to sinful advice to beginning to partake of it…then we begin to MISS THE MARK cause Offense, beginning to associate with & practice sin (the worlds ways & habits)

First listened…’Hath God said”…then did ‘ate of the fruit’

Nor Sits/Sitteth In The Seat of the Scornful(Mocker) …Now living In & Controlled by a life of sin, a Total submission To a Life of Sin…it’s become a part of who they are , they now speak evil of the righteous…last & worst state of sin…Total deterioration of a life

Open scorn of God , implies a person fighting against God…only place in PSALMS

Proverbs 21:24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath

I Cr. 15:33 Be not deceived evil COMMUNICATIONS corrupt good Morals.

Proverbs 4:23,24 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

NEW Testament Parallel…

James 1:13-15 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

**The UNGODLY are not just rapists, murders, adulterers(the WORST kinds of sinners) …BUT Those Who GIVE NO Thought to GOD or have no Time for Him In their Lives**

A Progression from GOD-CENTERED Living To Self-Centered….(Phil. 2)

WALKS---Decisions, we make decisions all day long (Is GOD always in the Picture?)

STANDS----He does not make waves, complain, murmur, riot ** SINNERS…here means to make a loud noise, tulmult**(I Cr. 10:10 the murmurs were destroyed by the destroyer)

SCORNFUL----- one sense of scorn = ‘to throw off’..He does not play the blame game, He takes responsibility for His life

NOW THE CONTRAST OF BLESSING IS BROUGHT IN!

IN : little word both in vs. 1 & 2 YOU cannot be on the fence ,you are either IN God or Out of God & IN Sin

Hebrew language stops & says of the Ungodly progression… NAY Absolutely NOT!! … As Paul said throughout His Epistles God FORBID…But NOW THIS!!....

1. 2)But His DELIGHT Is In The Law of The Lord & In HIS LAW Does He MEDITATE Day & Night….

DELIGHT…(Hepes) VERB..A Longing, a taking pleasure in a Bending Towards…EXPRESSING that His/Her Whole being is Bent towards something….(GOD)..to firmly adhere to, be wrapped around…ROOT WORD…To attack or catch by pursuit…a tracking down (violent chase…God Chasers)…A COMPLETE obsession with ,desire for, ALL you LIVE For & Every principal you apply in life is to bring you to the possession of your desire

LAW … ‘That which points out or instructs, teaches, gives direction’ Torah, Pentateuch..Instruction, doctrine

When the Heart is drawn to God….so also will the mind be drawn to God

Example of men & womenJ

Proverbs 23:7 As A Man THINKS In His Heart So Is He

What You Love (delight in ) is what you will think about!..whatever your mind runs toward is what will FEED or Delight your Heart…If the Heart loves a certain type of food the mind will produce it

Examine your brain, to see what you are like…but let God council you so you are w/o condemnation

MEDITATE… (Haga) to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak…Roar….Muttering & speaking to oneself over & over again, in a low voice..One Scholar speaks of the picture of a cow ‘Bringing up its cud, to chew on again & again

Also murmur …not in anger , but in pleasure, in a low voice (SEE GeniusJ))… ..growling in pleasure over prey …thinking, pondering, considering , MARINATING…rumination ‘to toss up in the air’

Just as Lions devour & enjoy their prey we must devour, feed upon & relish God’s Word

PSALMS are just made for Meditation

PSALM 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine (HAGA)a vain thing?

Godly Meditation is your Lifeline…

James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed

Psalm 77:6,11,12

Psalm 143:5..119:15,78,97,99,148…different word for Hebrew(meditate) same meaning

Romans 12:1,2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Day & Night…….. Continually, in Blessing or Trial…your mind always goes here, even in doing other things during the day always in the back of your mind

Luke 2:36,37 Anna Prophetess , served God With Fasting & prayers Night & Day

TO STIMULATE Your Mind with GOD’s WORD Brings Life & Refreshing

RECAP….

Vs. 1 Blessing is declared for those who determine to walk uprightly

Vs.2 We begin to see where the Blessed Persons Thoughts gravitate towards

Vs. 3 We are now seeing what The Man/ Woman of God BECOMES Because as you DELIGHT In & MEDITATE on GOD …(actually anything) you become like what you Behold

II Cor. 3:18

18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.