INTRO:
We will begin a series on the Psalms. The Psalms are among the favourite Scriptures of many of God’s people. It is the 2nd most quoted book in the NT (next to Isaiah).
Being such a large book (largest), we cannot look at every verse in every Psalm but we will go through the Psalms taking time to look at Principles to Ponder From The Psalms.
SONGS: Psalms = songs. This was the temple hymnal. There is great variety in what was a song about, just as we have a great variety.
POETRY: One of the most common forms of Hebrew poetry is parallelism. There are different types of parallelism:
• Synonymous parallelism: Ps 6:1, 105:23.
• Antithetical parallelism: Ps 90:6, Ps 1:6
EMOTIONAL: Because of their poetic nature the Psalms are uniquely emotive. Here, like nowhere else in the Bible, we discover what the Bible writers felt. Their passions, their doubts, and their joys are all declared and therefore, we relate to them.
DOCTRINAL: But let us not imagine that poetry is simply flowery without substance. There is no shortage of doctrinal truth discovered within the Psalms.
PROPHETIC: Many of the Psalms are greatly prophetic. Psalms dealing with prophecies of Jesus are called Messianic Psalms.
OLD COVENANT: Because they are OT, their direct interpretation must be concerning the Jew under the old covenant. Therefore, many of the blessings are earthly and legal. However, we can make a direct application of the principles in the light of NT truth.
HOW TO BE BLESSED
Significantly, the Psalms opens up with this because this Psalm summarises the TWO WAYS that are available for us to take. Life is all about choices and here the consequences of those choices are revealed.
BLESSED – is a word that means “Oh how happy” But it is not just normal human happiness which is why the word happy is not used. It is linked to God. It is divine happiness or happiness through the blessing of God.
I. THE GODLY MAN – THE BLESSED
A. Blessed Though Separation
1. Many people consider separation to be negative, but the Bible makes it positive.
2. Separation is from people: we are influenced more by people than things.
3. Identifies the progression of sin
a) Walks in their counsel – he listens to the advice of the ungodly (TV, unsaved /unspiritual friends).
• You can get advice from the unsaved in non-spiritual matters but the moment they advise you in areas of your moral & spiritual life, you must be careful.
b) Stands in their way.
(1) He has stopped walking and is now standing.
(2) Their way – the things that they do. He starts going to all the same places that they go.
c) Sits in their seat.
(1) This is a picture of complete fellowship and unity.
(2) A scornful person – a mocker & scoffer (these are not always unsaved). A critical spirit is incredibly contagious and discouraging. We should avoid fellowshipping with scornful people.
B. Blessed Through The Word Of God
1. He Delights – this is not the duty-bound approach.
2. He Meditates – this is the ingredient that we often forget. Have a daily memorization plan. Memorise & meditate upon Scripture a day.
3. He is fruitful and prosperous (spiritually) – we invent our own ways to be fruitful & prosperous & often ignore God’s.
4. He maintains a good testimony – his leaf.
II. THE UNGODLY – NOT SO
A. Likened to chaff – invaluable & not preserved.
B. They will not be able to stand in the judgment – Rev 6:17
C. They will ultimately perish (v. 6).
What kind of person will you be?
