Psalm 1 Study

19 June 2024 Wed – Text: Psalm 1 – Topic: Blessings, Choices

Introduction: Begin with items on the table under cover. Give everyone a pen and paper. Lift the cover for 15 seconds. Have them write all that they observed in detail. Compare.

Often, we miss details in Scripture because we don’t observe carefully.

Transition: This evening, I want us to closely observe Psalm 1.

1.     Observation – What is being said?

a.      The writer and readers.

1)         Written by David

2)         Part of the Jewish song book.

3)         To the congregation (everyone).

4)         Why do you think it the first Psalm? It lays a foundation for the other Psalms

b.      The terms.

1)         Blessed – State of bliss, happy

2)         Walketh – to talk, to proceed, in context to follow

3)         Counsel – the advice, plan, world view

4)         Ungodly – wicked, guilty, criminal

5)         Standeth – to remain motionless, to remain

6)         Way – road, path, manner, course of life, company

7)         Sinners – sinner

8)         Sitteth – sit, dwell, inhabit, endure, stay

9)         Seat – habitation, dwelling place

10)     Sornful – to boast, to scorn, to mock, to deride

11)     Delight – pleasure, longing

12)     Law – God’s instructions, commands, directions

13)     Meditate – to speak, mutter, chew on

14)     What is the key contrast between verses 1 and 2? The person in verse 1 is being led by ungodly people and the person in verse 2 is being led by God’s Word.

15)     What four things do we learn about the tree?

a)         Planted by the river.

b)         Brings forth fruit in season.

c)         Does not wither due to lack of moisture.

d)         Prospers

16)     What do we know about the ungodly in verses 1, 4-6? All the same Hebrew word

17)     What is chaff? Husks of grain that blow in the wind

18)     Stand (v.5) To rise up, to stand up not as v.1

19)     Judgment – God’s judgment day

20)     Congregation of the righteous – assembly of righteous people

21)     Knoweth (v.6) – to perceive, to discern

22)     Perish – lost, destroyed, put to death

2.     Interpretation – What does it mean?

a.      Verse 1 – God withholds blessing from those who follow the ways of unbelievers

b.      Verse 2 – God blesses those who delight and meditate in His Word.

c.       Verse 3 – That person will prosper spiritually

d.      Verse 4 – ungodly people will not prosper

e.      Verse 5 – They will fall on judgment day

f.        Verse 6 – The Lord discerns how we live and will deal with each person accordingly

3.     Application – How does it apply to me?

a.      What must we NOT do?

1)         Follow the ways of the ungodly or adopt their world views

b.      What must we DO?

1)         Delight in the Bible and meditate on it. Let it lead us in life.

c.       How will this benefit us?

1)         How will it help us in this life? (v.3) Prosper

2)         How will it help us on judgment day? (v.5-6) Stand

3)         What will we avoid in this life? (v.3) being unfruitful

4)         What will we avoid eternally? (v.4-6) shame