Book of Psalms A Walk Through Israel’s Song Book Volume 2

Introduction to the Entire Book of Psalms Psalms One and Two Psalm One The Way, The Truth, The Life John 14:6a Imagine the task of composing the Psalm that would stand at the beginning of the book of Psalms. It must have beauty in simplicity and brevity, but profound in depth of insight. Easy to read, but dangerous to leave without serious contemplation. Life is lived only once. This Book is the guide to live that one life well and grasp with both hands happiness now and for eternity. The entrance to that path remains open to all travelers, but even wisdom’s patience does not last forever. Seize the moment and enter and begin the journey to Him. He is waiting for you. Verse One: 1) “How blessed (happy) is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!” The Way to avoid: Not all voices are true. Not all voices are helpful. Discernment is needed to know the right way to spend the precious moments of life. Who can be trusted? Many offer opinions as wisdom. But here in one verse is the wisdom needed to avoid many heartbreaks. The path of life is to be traveled. These are enticements to first turn the head, then to stop and finally to sit down in life. Here there is no more progress made to Him, but a proud and disdainful judgment of everyone else. No self reflection, no growth and worst of all no LORD. Without Him there is no Life. He is the Way. Verse Two: 2) “But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, And in His Law he meditates day and night.” The Truth to desire: The true guide, the LORD, is to be desired above all things. In the beginning God created. He spoke His word and everything changed. He knows a thing or two about life and how it is to be lived. His word is still powerful and is truth and demands full attention. It is always profitable either day or night. He is the Truth. Verse Three: 3) “And he will be like a /tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in season, And its leaf does not wither, And whatever he does, he prospers.” The Life to be possessed: Fruitful success is here for the taking. Life takes many unforeseen turns. There is a need for stability and insight that is beyond oneself. A tree must drink water from another source or it will die. But if it has it, it will grow and bear fruit and be beautiful in its leaf. Many will enjoy its fruit and shade. It will prosper itself and others. Thus the Word of the LORD offers the LORD of life and to those who partake of Him will live. He is the Life. Verse Four: 4) “The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind blows away.” The Life lost: Empty and missed opportunities. Take the seed of life away and the chaff remains. It is a dry lifeless shell and stalk. It has no weight or substance that prevents it from being blown away by the wind. There is nothing of value for anyone. Waste. The promise of evil that was so enticing in verse 1 is nothing really or worse a lie. Without Him there is nothing of eternal value. Don’t reap regrets. Time is of the essence. He is the Life Verse Five: 5) “Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.” The Truth of judgment: An account will be demanded. Life is a gift that is given once. God is very interested in how the gift is used. He alone makes the final determination. His harvest will be gathered. Don’t be fooled. He alone is Truth. His righteousness determines truth. Judgment by The King is for truth and for real. It is sure to /happen. He is the Truth. Verse Six: 6) “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.” The Way must now be chosen: There are only two options. The path is still open. The choice can still be made today. He is waiting. His blessing of love is waiting. His judgment on the wicked will be final. They will perish. He is the Way. When Jesus was in the upper room with His disciples before His arrest and eventual death on the cross. He reminded them that He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. Was He summing up the whole teachings of the Psalms? • The Way of the King is Book One (3 - 41). The king proves to be faithful through trials from many adversaries (3:1). • The Truth of His Kingdom is Book Two (42 - 72). God who is the truth must be sought as if life depends upon it ( 42:1). • The Life Giving Shepherd is Book Three (72 - 89). God, who alone has a pure heart, is all the goodness for which man will ever need (72:1). • The Life with the King is Book Four ( 90 - 106). The ever-living LORD is the only dwelling place suitable for every generation (90:1). • The Finale of Thanksgiving for His Everlasting Lovingkindness that wins is Book Five (107 - 150). Only the LORD is good. His lovingkindness is everlasting and will be praised forever (107:1). Shall we enter? The door to Him and His life is yet open.