Psalm 1 - Two Ways To Live Lesson 2 Series

A. EXPANDED TRANSLATION

“Your life will be happier if you don’t follow the advice of sinners, and you don’t loiter with the wicked, and you don’t become a part of an evil group. You will discover happiness by obeying My laws and thinking about Me day and night. You will be like a tree rooted by living waters, bearing fruit when you need it. Your leaf will not wither, and you will prosper in what you do. The wicked are blown about like worthless trash, I will judge them for their rebellion and wasted life. They will not stand with the godly before Me, for I take care of those who live right, but the evil doers will be destroyed” (Psalm 1, ELT translation).

B. INTRODUCTION

1. Life is divided between two types of people. There are two ways to live. Walk in the law of the Lord or walk by rebellion and wasted life. (v. 6). There are two destinies: to live with God or be destroyed.

2. Three persons will try to get you to deny God (v. 1):

a. The sinners (the ones who do wrong things).

b. The wicked (the one who ignores God or violates God’s principles).

c. Evil group (the source of everything evil).

3. Three sinful classes, (v. 1):

a. The sinners (Rasha, actively rebellious to God).

b. Wicked (chatta, to miss the mark).

c. Evil group (luwts, to mock or verbally abuse).

4. Three steps of descent, (v. 1):

a. Don’t follow (go to a place of temptation).

b. Loiter (remain once temptation begins).

c. Part of evil group (tempt others).

5. Three places of temptation, (v. 1):

a. Follow (to turn away from God).

b. Loiter (constant practice that leads to ungodly acts).

c. Evil group (the place of decision to sin).

6. Two comparisons,( vv. 3-4):

a. Tree rooted, (1) grow, (2) fruit, (3) life, (4) expands, (5) shade or comfort to others.

b. Worthless trash like dead hulls and leaves: (1) blows, (2) no attachment, (3) not enjoyable for eating, (4) no roots, (5) no life-giving nourishment.

C. KEY WORDS

1. Blessed, (v. 1): This word asher means happy or satisfied. The book of Psalms emphasizes spirituality begins with happiness. I do not want you to be glum but to be satisfied with Me. Happiness is not fun (outward stimulation) that comes from entertainment. Happiness is found on the road to duty, i.e., obedience.

2. The law of the Lord, i.e., My law, (v. 2): Seven things to do with the Bible (a) delight in it, (v. 2), (b) study or discover it, (v. 2), (c) obey it, (Joshua 1:8), (d) make it the basis for principles by which to live, (James 1:22-27), (e) make it the standard of salvation, (2 Timothy 3:16-17), (f) hear and keep it, (Revelation 1:3), (g) feed on it to grow spiritually, (1 Peter 3:1-3).

3. Planted, (v. 3): You will not make it spiritually without help. The word planted means intentionally placed, cultivated, watered, and tended. The opposite of growing wild. It implies (a) placed in the rich soil, (b) Christian fellowship, (c) Christian worship.

4. Rivers of living waters, (v. 3): the word palgey mayim means channels of water in a garden or irrigation ditch. Christians need to be where they systematically get living water, i.e., the Scriptures.

5. Season, (v. 3): There are cycles of expectations in life, (a) know the cycles of physical life. To know what is expected of you is the basis for happiness, (b) know the spiritual cycles or “seasons of the soul.” The happy Christian will cultivate their soul according to its seasons.

6. Chaff, (v. 4): the person outside of My influence will be: (a) cut down like grass (Psalm 37:2), (b) die, (Matthew 6:30), (c) blown away, (Psalm 1:4).

D. APPLICATION PRINCIPLES

1. You dedication determines the quality of your life.

2. Your daily focus will determine your actions and ultimately your life.

3. Your systematic plan will give you growth in character.

4. The person cut off from My influence has no eternal purpose in life.

5. Those who reject Me will face Me in judgement.

6. The way of the righteous person is to do right things, the right way. But way of the person outside God’s influence will perish.

E. APPLICATION QUESTIONS

1. What makes you happy? What give you the most satisfaction?

2. Where do people search for happiness?

3. What do happy people do?

4. Do you feel daily tension between the two ways? Is there a third way?

5. How can you get on the road to happiness?

The people who are blessed of God are happy in Jesus because they separate themselves from evil and meditate on the LORD; reflecting on God’s past goodness; appreciating their salvation, making plans to live for God and serve Him, thinking their thoughts the way God intend and contemplate God’s goodness and greatness.