The Two Paths

The Two Paths

Psalm 1

Good morning.

Most of us here this morning, have heard of the metaphor, a "Fork in the road".

Of course, while driving there are actual forks in the road, where one road splits into two.

The metaphor of a "Fork in the road" can refer to a time when someone must choose between two options and that choice can also be called a crossroads in life.

An example of a "Fork in the road" is when someone has to choose between different schools to attend.

Robert Frost described this metaphor as “a road not taken”, the moment before a decision was made, affecting someone’s life.

Every "Fork in the road" choice that is made, will have consequences that can significantly impact someone’s life.

Hallmark movies have storylines about a road not taken based on a choice a character in the movie made. An example…

If the lady in the movie had not broken up with her boyfriend before moving to New York, she would not have become an advertising executive and gotten engaged to a different guy.

The choice against the first guy was a road not taken.

Then the lady in the movie returns home to take care of her ailing mother and falls in love with her old boyfriend again.

Please open your Bibles to Psalm 1.

We are beginning a study in the Book of Psalms which will not be a complete chapter-by-chapter study, but more of a stroll through various Psalms over the next several months.

This morning, we will hear an introduction to the Book of Psalms and then we will cover Psalm 1 and learn about the two paths offered to each of us.

I. Introduction to the Psalms.

The Psalms were the ancient hymnal of God’s people as they were often set to music but, not always.

The emotions of the individual poets were expressed to God within the writings of the different Psalms.

Some of the Psalms name their author in the first line or title.

David was responsible for seventy-three of the Psalms, and Moses wrote Psalm 90.

Asaph wrote twelve of the Psalms, the descendants of Korah wrote ten, Solomon wrote one or two, and Ethan and Heman were responsible for two others.

The remainder of the Psalms do not contain information about their authors.

Warren Wiersbe said, “The Book of Psalms has been and still is the irreplaceable devotional guide, prayer book, and hymnal of the people of God. The Hebrew title is “the book of praises”.

Although the meaning of Psalms is, “songs of praise”, we need to know the book was written as Hebrew Poetry.

The Old Testament has several books considered to be Hebrew poetry, including five books that are called the "Poetic Books".

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

The only book entirely in poetic form is Psalms; as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve Minor Prophets contain mostly Hebrew poetry.

Hebrew Poetry is figurative, so as we interpret the different books, we must be careful, to interpret the Psalms correctly.

Hebrew Poetry uses a lot of repetition and connects one thought with another thought, known as parallelism. Again, this is helpful to understand as you study the Book of Psalms.

The Lord inspired all scripture to be written by many different human authors. In their writings, their personalities are shown.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. NKJV

Some Hebrew poetry can be correct doctrine, but while interpreting poetry, we have to remember that the Lord allows feelings to be expressed, that are not doctrinal truths.

Some Psalms are not written as doctrinal letters like Paul’s letters. Some Psalms are emotional expressions and often “overstated” not to lie, but they are poetry expressing emotion.

The psalmist said in Psalm 94:3 LORD, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?

Psalm 94:4 They utter speech and speak insolent things; all the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.

Psalm 94:5 They break in pieces Your people, O LORD, and afflict Your heritage.

Psalm 94:6 They slay the widow and the stranger and murder the fatherless.

Psalm 94:7 Yet they say, "The LORD does not see, nor does the God of Jacob understand." NKJV

We know it is not doctrinally true that "The LORD does not see, nor does the God of Jacob understand."

We must understand the Lord allowed the Psalmists to express emotions with poetry that may or may not be proper doctrine.

Today, we will study the first Psalm and discuss the person who is happy because they are living according to the Lord’s plans, compared to the ungodly person.