Tag Archives: Psalms

Psalm One

The beloved book of Psalms begins with a brief description of two kinds of people: the wicked and the righteous. Standing at opposite poles of humanity the sweet psalmist, David explains the blessings and the curses that befall each.

He notes the blessings of the righteous man defined negatively. The righteous is not like the wicked. Indeed, the two are so far apart as to be impossible to confuse. For David, there is no middle ground with a little good and a little bad. He is either/or, but not both.

The righteous man rejects the guidance of the wicked and gives no heed to their proddings. He will not conduct himself as a sinner nor occupy a place among the evil. No one will associate this righteous man with the wicked nor will he allow himself to be so grouped. There is no confusion for the righteous is unlike the wicked in every way (Psalm 1:1).

Positively, what marks the righteous? What sets him apart from the evil? The righteous have an intense love for the word of God. Of Psalm 1:2 the Septuagint translation says of the righteous that “his will is focused on the law of the Lord.” Other translations say that he “meditates” on God’s law day and night. The psalmist echoes this idea in Psalm 112:1 when he observes that a man who “delights in his commandments is blessed.” John, writing centuries later, said the man who keeps his commandments “abides in God” (1 John 3:2-4).O, that we all would come to love the gentle words of the Lord!

David also sees the righteous man as ever stable against the storms of life. “He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that yields its fruit in season, and its leaf does not wither” (Psalm 1:3). This moving illustration is of a great tree that is always green and ready to give forth abundant fruit in its time. Whether in season or out,  this man is always stable and sturdy. James rebukes the faithless man who doubts and is splashed about like the waves of the sea. Then he declares blessings on the steadfast man (James 1:5-12). Likewise, our goal is to be firm and unwavering like this mighty tree. This tree remains fruitful because it is always supplied by life-giving water. There is no fear of drought, only a certainty of constant sustenance from the streams of water. This water is the “living water” of which Jesus spoke in John 4:10 ff. Like the constant, ongoing meditation and focus on God’s word, this constant watering brings strength and stability to the righteous.

Yet, more than stability, the righteous man prospers in all his work (Psalm 1:3). He will not prosper in any wicked endeavor for he does not pursue evil. His prosperity comes from his station within the law of the Lord. Apart from that law, there is no good to be had.

See now that David turns it all back upon the wicked who are not like this blessed man (Psalm 1:4). They are unstable, blown about like leaves before a spring breeze and cannot stand stable before God in judgment. We recall the words of David’s son, Solomon who said, “the way of the transgressors is hard” (Proverbs 13:15, KJV). We do not want to be like the wicked who will perish!

When life becomes so difficult that we are sure to fail, we should consider if we have fallen into transgressions.

Notice again how David turns the discussion back upon the wicked. In Psalm 1:1 he says the righteous will not be found among the wicked. Now in Psalm 1:5 he says the wicked will not be found “in the congregation of the righteous.” You see, the Lord knows his people (John 10:14; 2 Timothy 2:19) and does not confuse them. And, because he knows us, he knows our paths and always watches over us. I find this first chapter of Psalms to be both an encouragement and a challenge. Remember, these are the words of God given through David’s inspiration. Listen! Hear his voice!

 

The Confidence of David

David is one of the best known Bible characters. He was a young shepherd boy, a noble warrior and the King over God’s people. Today David is still honored by Christians and Jews alike. We forget that David was also a sinner. He was an adulterer, a murderer and the head of a horribly dysfunctional family. (2 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 13; 2 Samuel 15).

David was also known as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22).

I was reading in Psalms this morning and carefully read through Psalm 17. Here David calls upon God to deliver him from his troubles. That’s common in Psalms. But what struck me was the confidence David had before God. To be accurate, this particular Psalm was probably penned before David committed the sins I listed above. Nevertheless, the man David likely struggled with sin all of his life just like you and I. But notice his confidence in prayer:

“Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit” (vs. 1).

“…you have tested me and you will find nothing” (vs. 3).

“My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped” (vs.5).

David wasn’t afraid to call upon God. His sins, although very real, were forgiven by God. But it is also clear that David strove to be obedient to God. To serve God was his purpose and mission. His son Solomon reached that conclusion after years of seeking happiness in the things of the world (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

I’m just wondering about our prayers. First, do we fail to pray because we are embarrassed to appear before the throne of God? Do we allow our sins to stand between us and God?

Second, do our prayers fail because of that sin? Isaiah said our sins have separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2).

I guess it really doesn’t matter why or how it happens. But sin must be eliminated and righteousness gained. Only in Christ can sin be removed and in Christ we share in  his own righteousness.

What do you think?