Book 1 of the Psalms traditionally includes Chapters 1-41, but there is a growing consensus among biblical scholars that Chapters 1 and 2 stand alone as an introduction or prelude to the entire book. Chapters 1 and 2 are both untitled and are likewise bound together with the word "blessed", which opens Chapter 1 and closes Chapter 2. In essence, they establish the basic theology for the rest of the book.
____________________________________________
PSALM 1 – “Who Is Blessed?”
“Blessed” in this reading is more aptly translated “happy”, as distinguished from the Hebrew word usually translated for "blessed".
In this song we are told that in order to be blessed, we must avoid three things:
- Walking with the wicked
- Standing with sinners
- Sitting with scoffers
Did you notice the progression from walking to standing to sitting? Seems to me the comfort level increases in direct proportion to the amount of time spent hanging out with the wrong people on the wrong path. As this psalm clearly states, there are two distinct paths. One way (following the Lord through His WORD) leads to blessing and the other leads to ruin. The difference is where you plant yourself. Location. Location. Location.
💛NUGGET: Plant yourself by the Living Waters (John 7:38) and you will flourish.
Choose your path wisely.
____________________________________________
PSALM 2 - “Kiss The Son”
This Psalm is basically a poetic reflection of 2 Samuel 7:16, where God promises David that his throne will be established forever.
In Psalm 1 we learned about two different types of people (wicked vs. blessed). Psalm 2 is about two different types of kingdoms or nations (rebellious vs. submissive).
Psalm 2 is a Messianic Psalm. This means that somewhere within the psalm, a reference is made about the Messiah who is to come.
Vs. 1-2 describe the nations of the earth raging in rebellion against God's “Anointed One”. The word “anointed” is translated into Greek as Christos (Christ) and in Hebrew as Messiah.
Although no authorship of this psalm is identified, it is attributed to David in Acts 4:25-26, where we find the early church praying this psalm as they faced persecution. In fact, Psalm 2 is the most quoted psalm in the NT.
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (the true author), David wrote this psalm not only about himself, but even more profoundly about Jesus. Just as kings and nations rebelled against King David, they continue to do so against the Heavenly King.
What?! Rebel against the King of Kings? It's laughable! At least it was to the Omnipotent God in vs. 4.
The structure of this psalm goes something like this:
- Vs. 1-3: Rebellion is a' brewing in the kingdom.
- Vs. 4-6: Wanna make God laugh? Try rebelling against His King.
- Vs. 7-9: God and Jesus talk amongst themselves: Jesus is King
- Vs. 10-12: Wise up you royal knuckleheads. Kiss the Son.
💛NUGGET: The dialogue in verses 7-9 gives the only OT reference to the Father/Son relationship in the Trinity. Verse 7 is quoted in the NT in regard to the birth of Jesus (Hebrews 1:5-6) and also in Acts 13:33-34 discussing the resurrection.
This psalm ends where Psalm 1 begins... offering happiness for those who trust God.
____________________________________________
[There is a “superscription” before some of the Psalms, which is a statement describing the historical setting of the psalm or a specific note regarding the music. The superscription before Psalm 3 states “A psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.”]
This psalm is classified as a Lament. Over 1/3 of the psalms are Lament Psalms which fall under the category of a Basic Structure:
- “I'm gonna complain to God!”
- “And here's why I'm complaining!”
Or a Complex Structure:
- Lament (Complaint)
- Petition (Request for help)
- Affirmation & Praise to God
Laments begin with complaining but usually end up in faith and praise.
Per the superscript, Psalm 3 is linked to events in David's life when he was forced to flee from his hairy son Absalom as recorded in 2 Samuel chapters 15-18. His son had turned against him, his enemies were increasing in number, David's life was falling apart, so what did he do? He wrote a psalm... a prayer of petition to God.
💛NUGGET: When David's focus shifts from himself to God (vs. 3), his worries melt away. He takes a nap and wakes up with enough courage to face 10,000 enemies, because God is his Shield.
A note about “SELAH”: This word is used 71 times in the Psalms. I wish I could tell you definitively what it means, but other than assuming it refers to a type of musical notation or perhaps a cue to pause... the meaning is uncertain.
____________________________________________
[This is the first psalm to have musical instructions to the choir.]
Vs.1 - David boldly calls out to the “God of my righteousness”. This particular way of addressing God is not used anywhere else in the scripture. It's personal. David is imbued with Holy Boldness because he knows his righteousness does not depend on the whims of men or even his own actions, but is instead a gift and reward from God.
Vs. 6 - During this time of chaos (which some scholars of the Psalms attribute to a famine), David prays that God would “let the light of His face” shine upon them all.
💛NUGGET: This prayer is very similar to the Aaronic blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26:
____________________________________________
At the end of David's peaceful rest in Psalm 4, he wakes up offering morning prayers in Psalm 5. And shouldn't we follow his example? “Give ear to my words, O Lord” should be the first words out of our mouths before the devil even realizes we're awake. And not only does David ask God to listen to his words, he also asks God to “consider his meditations”. The understood translation of “meditations” is a low murmuring or sighing. David has confidence that God (through the Holy Spirit) can understand and discern his innermost thoughts and silent prayers. This calls to mind Romans 8:26, "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Vs. 9 - “Their throat is an open grave...” Yuck. We'll just have to recognize that David's poetic license is at work here and trust that he's not describing a really bad case of halitosis. I wonder how David feels about Paul quoting his ugly metaphor in Romans 3:13 as evidence of the sinful condition of ALL people.
💛NUGGET: In verse 4, David states that evil cannot dwell with God. In verse 7, he pictures himself entering the temple to be nearer to God. But the nugget is in verse 11. The literal Greek translation of “you spread your protection over them” (NIV) reads “you will make a nest among them”. God comes close. And therein lies the source of our JOY.
I leave you with this beautiful song, inspired by Psalm 3:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EBhr-3cr2E&t=3s
READING FOR TOMORROW: Psalms 6-10
LINK TO READING PLAN:
No comments:
Post a Comment