https://www.bible.com/events/49445380
Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus
The Psalms Part 1
The blessed life
Today we are starting a new teaching series in the book of Psalms.
Over the next few weeks we are going to do an intentional deep dive into 4 different Psalms. Our goal is to study each Psalm to understand how these words from thousands of years ago still offer wisdom and hope for our lives today.
The book of psalms is a large collection of poems written by various different authors across the span of 1000 years.
Many of these poems were lyrical in nature and intended to be set with music. The content of these psalms covers a large range of our human experience and relationship with God.
Their diversity makes them a valuable tool for our faith walk today.
Our series begins today with Psalm 1. In many ways Psalm 1 serves as an introduction to the whole book of Psalms so it makes perfect sense that we start our journey there today.
Psalms 1:1
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
Blessed in this context is not as much about a feeling as it is about a condition of life. To be blessed is to be satisfied, to be full, to be content regardless of circumstances.
Blessed is the one who does not…
Walk in step with the wicked
Stand in the way of sinners
Or sit in the company of mockers.
Most commentators on this passage see a progression of sin choices or behaviors that increase in severity and commitment.
In short summary, the truly blessed life, is not one lived in compromise with sin and the way of the world. To live the blessed life, we must sin seriously, and avoid it accordingly.
The blessed life as the bible teaches us is a life of purity and righteousness.
Psalms 1:2
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
To delight in the Law of the Lord means that we find great delight and satisfaction in God’s word.
The reference to Law here is not specific to the 10 commandments, but to the whole revealed word of God.
To delight in the word of God means that we would find enjoyment in reading it, fulfillment knowing that we are leaning into relationship with our heavenly father.
And it says we are to meditate on his word day and night, that it would be a continual practice in our lives to be mulling over the word of God.
Psalms 1:3
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
The picture the bible gives us for the blessed life is that of a tree planted beside water.
It’s a life of rooted perseverance, steadfast in the face of trials. It’s a prosperous life bearing fruit for to bring life and enjoyment for others. It’s constant, consistent, and celebrated. That’s the blessed life, and it stands in stark contrast to the other way of life.
Psalms 1:4-6
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
The author changes metaphor here to a kernel of wheat and the outter hull called chaff. The chaff is separated from the kernel of wheat and blown away. This is the picture of the life lived in rebellion and sin. The opposite of a blessed life. Not only now, but in the future judgement, those who have chosen this life will not stand.
The psalm ends in verse 6 with a direct contrast:
The promise of God’s presence and watchful care over the righteous verses the way of the wicked leading to destruction.
That’s one thing you will find as you engage the psalms, they don’t hold back from telling hard truths, from asking hard questions.
Psalm 1 paints the picture of two different ways of life.
The way of the righteous and the way of the wicked.
The way of blessing that leads to life, or the way of the wicked that leads to destruction.
And I wonder today, which path are you on? Are you living a blessed life?