Happy Are Those ...
Devotional
Companion to the Psalter
A Devotional Guide to the Psalms
Object:
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law they meditate day and night ...
The LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
-- Psalm 1:1, 2, 6
Theme: The two ways in life
Outline
1-3 -- Avoiding the principles and practices of those who offend the LORD, the godly seek God's word as their guide of life and are truly blessed.
4-6 -- The ungodly ("wicked") serve no worthwhile purpose, have no stability and perish.
Notes
• Wisdom Poetry
• This is a teaching psalm, a prologue to the whole Psalter, an invitation to the devout life.
• Key word is law (Torah). It is used to denote:
a. instruction,
b. a body of teaching,
c. laws or code of laws,
d. the five books of Moses that contain accounts of election, grace, covenant, and redemption as well as laws, and in its widest sense came to be (as here), and
e. the "word" of the LORD, all divine revelation as the guide of life.
What the Christian refers to as "the gospel" is anticipated in the Torah.
• "LORD" in capital letters denotes the sacred name of the covenant God, "I AM" (Yahweh), which devout Jews would not utter aloud but spoke for it the word, "Lord," meaning Master and owner of each member of the human family, claiming full obedience. Most modern translations observe this tradition.
For Reflection
• There are two ways of living. Which shall I consciously take? What kind of self-denial is called for?
• How do I make use of the basic resource and activity of the godly life? (v. 2).
• What is it to "delight in the law of the LORD"?
• What are the streams of water bringing sustenance and fruit? (See John 5:37-39.)
Prayer
Lord God, you invite us into a living fellowship with you through your Word-become-flesh, Jesus Christ, your Son. May this revelation of you protect, nourish, and refresh us and bring forth in life and in death the good fruits of your Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law they meditate day and night ...
The LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
-- Psalm 1:1, 2, 6
Theme: The two ways in life
Outline
1-3 -- Avoiding the principles and practices of those who offend the LORD, the godly seek God's word as their guide of life and are truly blessed.
4-6 -- The ungodly ("wicked") serve no worthwhile purpose, have no stability and perish.
Notes
• Wisdom Poetry
• This is a teaching psalm, a prologue to the whole Psalter, an invitation to the devout life.
• Key word is law (Torah). It is used to denote:
a. instruction,
b. a body of teaching,
c. laws or code of laws,
d. the five books of Moses that contain accounts of election, grace, covenant, and redemption as well as laws, and in its widest sense came to be (as here), and
e. the "word" of the LORD, all divine revelation as the guide of life.
What the Christian refers to as "the gospel" is anticipated in the Torah.
• "LORD" in capital letters denotes the sacred name of the covenant God, "I AM" (Yahweh), which devout Jews would not utter aloud but spoke for it the word, "Lord," meaning Master and owner of each member of the human family, claiming full obedience. Most modern translations observe this tradition.
For Reflection
• There are two ways of living. Which shall I consciously take? What kind of self-denial is called for?
• How do I make use of the basic resource and activity of the godly life? (v. 2).
• What is it to "delight in the law of the LORD"?
• What are the streams of water bringing sustenance and fruit? (See John 5:37-39.)
Prayer
Lord God, you invite us into a living fellowship with you through your Word-become-flesh, Jesus Christ, your Son. May this revelation of you protect, nourish, and refresh us and bring forth in life and in death the good fruits of your Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
