How to Study the Bible: Psalm 1 Study

WHO?

Who wrote it? Probably David, but there is no title for Psalm 1 or Psalm 2.

To whom was it written (address on the envelope) - The wicked and the righteous

About whom was it written? - The unrighteous and the righteous

Who are the main characters? - The righteous and the righteous, the Lord

Does it apply to us? Yes

How? Primarily, to avoid associating too closely with the unrighteous and to avoid their influence on us

WHAT?

Summary: We have a choice of the kind of life we live as shown by those with whom we associate. We need to be planted trees bearing fruit in our season.

Key Words: but (in contrast); follow, stand, join in (in King James - sit, stand, walk), the path

Key Phrases: "Oh the joys", "they prosper", "worthless chaff",

Related Verse(s) if any:
1. Joshua 1:8: Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

WHEN?

When was it written? Probably during David's reign, possibly before.

WHERE?

To where written? Unknown

From where written? Unknown

WHY?

Purpose? The Psalms are named "Praises" in the Hebrew. This has been called "The Preface Psalm". The author (David?) advises his audience to reject the lifestyle of the wicked and to be loyal to God. Those who order their lives by divine law will not only find success in this life but salvation in the life to come. But those who do not, but instead set themselves against God, have no hope of escaping God’s judgment.

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

Does this impact me in any way? Yes!

Are there any changes in my life needed after reading this?

Can I help anyone after reading this?

Any other thoughts?

¹ Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice* of the wicked**, or stand around with sinners***, or join in with mockers****.

*advice: Means to allow their evil advice to impact and determine one’s behavior.

**wicked: Who are the "wicked"? The murderers? Jesus considered the religious Pharisees and Sadducees "wicked", so you can be both religious and lawful, yet be wicked! The Hebrew word used here harsha’iym (pronounced ha-reh-shah-eem) means anyone who wrongs God or others. The wicked can be anyone who is not doing God’s will. It can be a person who seems good, kind, honest, sincere.

***sinners: This word comes from a root meaning “to miss the mark.” The picture here is not of an archer who steps forward, “toes the mark,” takes aim at the target, and then fails to strike it.

****mockers: These are the mockers and scoffers, having no respect for God or man.

2 Corinthians 6:14: Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

Ephesians 5: 11: Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.

Ephesians 6:11: Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

² But* they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating** on it day and night.

*But: Instead.

**meditating: What is meditation? How do you meditate on the Word?

Ephesians 4:1: Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

³ They are like trees planted* along the riverbank**, bearing fruit*** each season****. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper***** in all they do.

*planted: In a garden, not just growing wild! Who planted them?- God! He chooses it, plants it, cultivates and protects it.

**riverbank: Hebrew - “channels of water” The author compares the godly individual to a tree that has a rich water supply (planted by flowing streams), develops a strong root system, and is filled with leaves and fruit. The simile suggests that the godly have a continual source of life which in turn produces stability and uninterrupted prosperity. The Hebrew word used here for streams is palgey and means divisions or irrigation ditches. So what this verse is telling us is that we are watered by design!

***bearing fruit: The very purpose the tree was planted in the first place!

****each season: This fruitful tree has to mature and brings it fruit at the right time, not out of season. Ecclesiastes 3:1: For everything there is a season

*****prosper: Joshua 1:8: Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. John 10:10: ...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

⁴ But* not the wicked**! They are like worthless chaff**, scattered by the wind.

*But: Instead.

**chaff: In contrast to the well-rooted and productive tree described in verse 3, the wicked are like a dried up plant that has no root system and is blown away by the wind. The simile describes the destiny of the wicked. In Bible times after the wheat was separated from the chaff on the threshing floor, the chaff was thrown aloft for the wind to carry it away. Such is the advice of the ungodly. The unfruitful chaff verses the tree bearing fruit!

⁵ (Therefore) They will be condemned at the time of judgment*. Sinners will have no place** among the godly.

*judgment: Romans 14:10: So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 1 Corinthians 3:13: But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.

**have no place: Literally, "will not stand". The verb used in the verse is literally “will not rise up”. They will not be able to rise, they will not even be left standing at the judgment--they will not survive.

⁶ For the Lord watches over* the path** of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

*Lord watches over: Literally, "the Lord knows".

**path: Psalm 119:105: Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

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