Psalm 1 Bible Study Series

Psalms 1

(Rev. Barry Johnson and Rev. Rodney Johnson)

NOTE: New Light Faith Ministries and Barry Johnson Ministries, founded by Rodney V. Johnson and Barry O. Johnson, respectively, are partnering to offer Bible studies for Christians who are seeking to grow in their relationship with Jesus. This is a Bible study lesson, not a sermon. The Bible studies teach foundational truth that are designed to challenge, encourage and, most importantly, flame the fire of hunger in the Christian who wants to learn more about who they have become in Christ Jesus. The Bible studies you find on this site contains the written version of the lesson. However, these lessons also include a video and an audio file of the study, a PDF version of the lesson and a sheet for note taking. If you would like any of the additional resources for these studies, please email us at newlightfaithministries@gmail.com or bjteachingltr@gmail.com for more information or contact us at the email provided on both of our Sermon Central pages. Be blessed.

Opening

(NKJV) As one of the greatest collection of songs, prayers and poetry, the book of Psalms expresses the deepest passions of humanity. In these pages we can hear the psalmist’s desperate cry in the midst of despair, but also the ecstatic praise of his Provider and Comforter. We can hear him pouring out his soul in confession, but also bubbling over with joy. The Psalms lead us through the valleys and peaks of the human experience, but in the end they guide us to the praise of our loving Creator.

In order to fully appreciate the Psalms, a certain number of their characteristics should be kept in mind.

? First, psalms were written for singing. These were songs for public worship in the temple of ancient Israel.

? Second, the poems in the Psalms were written over a period of a thousand years, from the time of Moses through the time of Ezra.

? Third, psalms were collected and arranged over a long period of time.

? Fourth, psalms were written in the language of the human spirit, the utterance of the soul. Psalms are not cool, reasoned prose, but deeply emotional works that use wrenching language, dramatic exaggeration, and figurative speech.

? Fifth, psalms and the writings of psalms were part of ordinary life for the Israelites. Through a psalm, the Israelites would express their devotion and thanks to their Lord.

? Sixth, individual psalms were written for different purposes.

? Finally, it must be remembered that psalms were written in the language

of response.

(ERV) Martin Luther called the Psalms “a little Bible, and the summary of the Old Testament.” The overarching presentation of God is as King. Two corollaries to God as King in the Psalms are God as Creator and God as Redeemer, which run like a golden thread through the entire Psalm. Therefore, the book of Psalms give us one of the most complete and comprehensive revelations of the character of God in the entire Bible. If we want to know who God is, what He has done, and how we should respond to Him, the book of Psalms is one of the best places to start.

Our Bible Study lesson today is Psalm 1. The first two psalms introduce us to the main themes of the book: the life of holiness and happiness under the reign of the divine King and His Messiah. The first psalm gives us the purpose of the book: to provide a manual for meditating on the instruction of the Lord, so that we can experience the “blessed” life, a life of abundant holiness and happiness. Rodney, you’ve read the book of Psalms many times over the years. Before getting into the study, what are some of the things that have impacted you as you read the Psalms?

Rodney: Barry, off the top of my head, it’s the way David and the other writers of Psalms captured God’s heart in their songs. As you said, the Book of Psalms includes there are songs of adoration, songs of repentance and remorse, songs of thanksgiving, and songs of prayers and requests. But the one thing that flows through all of them is the underlying theme of giving praise to God. Psalms has always shown me that no matter what I am facing in life God is with me, from my greatest moments to my lowest. When I have succeeded in His will and when I have failed. God has never turned His back on me even when I had times when I turned my back on Him to do what I wanted to do. When I messed up Psalms helped me express my remorse, like when David wrote, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Your tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight: that You might be justified when You speak, and be blameless when You judge.” (Psalm 51:1-4) So, let’s take a look at the first three verses.