Psalms Class 1A Psalms 1-19

[Jim Parker]

Psalms Class 1A Psalms 1-19

Psalm 1

Psa 1:1-3 The blessings of the Covenant will be given to those who keep the Covenant.
( See: Deut 28:1-14) Everything he does will prosper because he shuns evil and does what is good in the eyes of the Lord.

Deu 28:1-2 Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:

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

“Walks” means to make it normal practice; the way a person acts every day.

3. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Water is necessary for a tree to live and to bear fruit. To be planted by a river is to be guaranteed a permanent source of water and to have the promise of health, strength and fruitfulness.

Our source of Life is God. If anyone is in Christ he has eternal life.

Psa 1:4-5 Those who do not keep the covenant will be cursed. They and everything they do will come to nothing. (See: Deut 28:15-68)

4-5. The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall 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 ungodly shall perish.

The “way of the righteous” is the Lord’s way that leads to eternal life.
The way of the ungodly is the way of man It is the way of sin and the wages of sin is death.
Pick one.

Psalm 2

Psa 2:1-3
Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”

“The nations” are the gentiles who are not a part of God’s covenant people.

At the time when David and Solomon reigned as kings in Jerusalem, there were many gentile nations that were subject to the rule of Israel’s kings.

To take counsel against is to conspire against. Why would anyone be so foolish as to conspire against God and God’s anointed ruler? It is God who has placed David and then Solomon as kings over those vassal kingdoms. Do they really think they can resist God? How foolish of them!

See:
Rom 13:1-2 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Psa 2:4-5 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure:

See: Rev 19:19-21 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Psa 2:6-9 Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree:
The LORD has said to Me, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.”
Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

These verses speak of Christ Who will rule the earth at His second coming.
See also: Heb 1:1-8

Psa 2:10-12 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Rather than fight against God and secure your own death, why not submit to Him and secure His blessings along with eternal life?

This is very similar to Isaiah 1:18-20
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD,
“Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;
But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

 

[Tessa]

What a difference as time goes on. We are told to obey the rulers because God has appointed them. But - as the beast arrives to rule the earth we are told no to do as he says. Lastly - our wonderful Saviour Jesus Christ will arrive to rule His world, and all who are saved will live to obey and worship Him forever, and will be full of joy to do so.

 

[Jim Parker]

But - as the beast arrives to rule the earth we are told no to do as he says.

Yes.
The beast rules as a usurper. Satan's authority over the world is not legitimate; it was swindled (that seems like a good word) from man whom God had given dominion over the whole earth and all living things. (Gen 1:26)

 

[Tessa]

What a mess! We sure let God down.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

From the first psalm I get the impression to put God first. His laws, His Kingdom, or He Himself. And to do this will secure us like a fruitful and healthy tree.

However there's something else to look at too. Blessed is the one who does not take the consol of the godless. Does not stand in the path of sinners. Nor sit in the seat of the scornful. When I read this part, what stood out to me is first that we aren't to stand in the path of sinners. Is that just to not take the path of sinners? Or is it also to not stand in their way? In that way it seems there are several verses that say to not stand up against a sinner, but to trust in the Lord. From not to resist evil but to conquor it by doing good, to the parts of the law that says to let vengeance be God's and not put it in our hands.

In a simular tone the second Psalm seems to convey the same thing that the first one does. That when people make plans to stand against God, He laughs. Almost like what can they do? Their plans will come to nothing. Even if they are successful in doing some harm, God has placed His people all over the world, and where He's placed them, those places will not be able to get rid of them. This seems to be true for both Jewish and Christian influences in the world. No matter how it's gone, both have lasted and no one has had the power to remove them.

These were just a few thoughts on these psalms.

 

[Jim Parker]

Is that just to not take the path of sinners? Or is it also to not stand in their way?

It's referring to going the way sinners go and standing where sinners stand. Essentially it is doing things that sinners do. Ps 1 says that those who stay clear of sin get blessed.

It reflects the Law of Moses which says that if you keep the Law you will be blesses and prosper and live long in the promised land but if you rebel against God's Law then you will be cursed in everything you do.