Dec 28, 2015
PSALMS
• Quoted over 400 times in the New Testament
• Composed over an 800 year period
• Authors: David; Moses; Solomon; Asaph, others
PSALMS
• Psalmos a translation of mizmor
• A composition/song performed to musical accompaniment of the harp
• “Book of Praises” (although filled with many aspects other than praise as well)
PSALMS
• Originally used primarily in public worship in the tabernacle/temple
• 1 Chronicles 15:16, 16:7 ff
• In time of exile and later Roman occupation and dispersion of Jews they came to be used more in private worship (Ps. 137)
PSALMS
• Early church used them in worship (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19)
• The poems are poetry
• THE PSALMS ARE UNIQUE IN THAT THEY RECORD WORDS SPOKEN TO AND ABOUT GOD as compared to words from God to us
PSALMS
• Thus the Psalms are often prayers; that does not negate them also being God’s Word and His message to us
• The Psalms are put together in five books–1-41; 42-72; 73-89; 90-106; 107-150
Let’s Open Our HymnalsTo. . .
Psalm 1
Psalm 1
• Placed at the beginning to introduce the book and to challenge us to live by its teaching
• A “threshold” Psalm
• Contrasts the wise/foolish; godly/ungodly; way of life/way of death
Stanza #1: The World Can Bea Dangerous Place to Live
• The promise of “blessing”
• Then he turns to negations—what the godly does not do
• Like the 10 commandments, stated in terms of the negative
Stanza #1: The World Can Bea Dangerous Place to Live
• The godly must make discriminating choices in a world that is hostile to the Lord and His ways
• Counsel of the “wicked”• Path of “sinners”• Seat of “mockers”
• Seemingly small decisions and steps can lead to destructive destinations
Stanza #1: The World Can Bea Dangerous Place to Live
• “Bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33)
• Romans 12:1-2; Eph. 5:15
• We are not to avoid interaction with the ungodly altogether (1 Cor. 5:9), but we must be wise in our interaction
Stanza #2: Our Greatest ExposureShould Be To God’s True Word
• v. 2—Delight in the law of the Lord
• “let your conscience be your guide” is not wise counsel
• “Law of the Lord” encompasses now the whole counsel of God.
Stanza #2: Our Greatest ExposureShould Be To God’s True Word
• John 6:68
• The Word points to Him, and His Words are “life”
Stanza #3: The Blessing Comes in Fruitful and Eternal Living
• v. 3
• Growth and vitality come over time with right commitment
• Discrimination that keeps at bay ungodly influence; feeding upon the right food.
Stanza #3: The Blessing Comes in Fruitful and Eternal Living
• The two choices will be revealed in the tests of life and of eternity
• Matthew 7:13-14; 24-29
• C.S. Lewis– The Great Divorce