Psalm 1

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Psalm 1: How to be Successful

John Hepp, Jr.

Introduction: Psalms 1–2 introduce all the psalms. 1 is personal, about the individual before God & different from the world; 2 is prophetic, about God’s coming kingdom and how it will be established. Give outline; read the whole psalm together. Then reread each subdivision after explaining it.

I. Description of the Godly Person, {{vv. 1–3}}

“Blessed” is plural in Hebrew, a form used 44 times in the OT, mostly psalms and proverbs. Also ends Psalm 2 ({{v. 12}}), bracketing these psalms. Also in {{Psalm 119:1}} (+ way, walk, law of the Lord) and {{119:2}}.

“O the blessednesses of the man” Means fortunate, well-off, blissful.

Greek form (makarios) 9 times in {{Matthew 5:3–12}}.

Blessed is the man (Hebrew ish)—usually an individual male but can be individual person.

In Division I ({{vv. 1–3}}) the psalmist will describe the godly person’s lifestyle (A & B), then the blessing (C).

A. What he avoids, {{v. 1}}

1. walking in the counsel of the ungodly (translated “wicked,” also in {{vv. 4-6}})
2. standing in the way of sinners
3. sitting in the seat of scorners
Our modern culture is also full of such people. We cannot avoid relating to them—our Lord left us here to do so, as He did. But we do not imitate them. REREAD V. 1

B. What he does, {{v. 2}}
“The law of the Lord” is the teaching of Yahweh

1. Delights in it (cf. {{Isaiah 11:3}})
2. Meditates (mutters) on it day and night (cf. 2:1; quote Psalm 119:97): “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.”
How much of it? “Every word that comes from the mouth of God” ({{Matthew 4:4}})
Does knowledge of the Word please God? A Rabbinic story said that God Himself studies Torah as they do. Jesus warned that Pharisees studied the Scriptures but would not come to Him (John 5).
REREAD V. 2.

C. What he achieves, {{v. 3}} THE BLESSING

1. Described—he is like a well-watered evergreen fruit tree (palm?).
Produces his fruit in season—not always present, can’t rush it, can ruin it.
2. Summarized: He prospers in everything.
Same verb used of Joseph in {{Genesis 39:3, 23}}.
Same promise and same secret in Joshua 1:8: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
What is success? Financial prosperity or good health? (see {{Proverbs 3:1–2}}, {{7–10}}) No, see {{James 2:5}}.
It means God’s best for each one.
REREAD V. 3.

II. Description of Ungodly Persons, {{vv. 4–5}}

A. What They Are Like, {{v. 4}}
“not so” They do not avoid ungodly counsel or ways, do not delight in the Lord’s teaching nor meditate in it, are not like fruitful trees.
but are like useless chaff REREAD V. 4

B. What They Achieve, {{v. 5}}
Nothing lasting. They won’t stand in the judgment nor participate with all the righteous.
(Note that the godly person excludes himself now; the ungodly will be excluded finally.) REREAD V. 5

III. Why do They End Up Differently?, {{v. 6}}

A. because the Lord knows (watches over) the way of the godly

B. but not the way of the ungodly
Their way “perishes,” implying that God doesn’t “know” (watch over) it. REREAD V. 6

Conclusions

1. Blessing was God’s original plan—see {{Genesis 1:28}}; {{2:3}}

2. Ultimate guarantee by Jesus the King. (Same Greek word in {{Matthew 5:3–10}}, 9 times)

3. {{Psalm 1:1-2}} gives the key for obtaining God’s blessing. The key is to truly love God’s instruction, to know the Bible and obey it. It is useless to make up your own tricks or shortcuts.

4. How faithfully must one use this key? As much as he wants blessing and success. Only Christ used it perfectly.

5. How can you get this love for God’s Word? By drawing near to God and asking Him for it.

6. A demonstration (object lesson) that it is necessary to fill each day with the correct priorities. (Practice this illustration until it is smooth.) My empty day is represented by an empty mason jar (quart size). Show two identical small bottles of sand (a and b) and two identical bottles of gravel (a and b), also ten golf balls. Explain what they represent (see below). Put sand a, then gravel a, into the jar. Start putting in golf balls; only two or three should now fit. Empty the jar, then put in all the golf balls, all of gravel b, then all of sand b.

Golf balls representing essential things for my day: food (& medicine), exercise, rest, Bible reading and meditation, prayer, talk, affection, etc.

Gravel representing today’s tasks (material, financial, vocational)

Sand representing social life and whatever else brings pleasure.

Questions for Discussion About Psalm 1

Introduction: Review the psalm, which gives the rule for true success ({{v. 3d}}).

1. What is success? (cf. {{Romans 12:1–2}})

2. What does the rule require?
Must we scheme to help it?

3. How well must one obey it?
Only Christ obeyed it perfectly.

4. How does one get this attitude?

[[vv. 1–3]]

¹Blessed is the man who does not
walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
² But his delight
is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates
day and night.
³ He is like a tree
planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

[[vv. 1–3]]

[[v. 12]]

Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

[[v. 12]]

[[Psalm 119:1]]

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.

[[Psalm 119:1]]

[[119:2]]

Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart

[[119:2]]

[[Matthew 5:3–12]]

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
³ Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

[[Matthew 5:3–12]]

[[vv. 1–3]]

[[v. 1]]

Blessed is the man who does not
walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

[[v. 1]]

[[vv. 4-6]]

⁴Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked
will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
⁶ For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked
will perish.

[[vv. 4-6]]

[[v. 2]]

But his delight
is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates
day and night.

[[v. 2]]

[[Isaiah 11:3]]

and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,or decide by what he hears with his ears

[[Isaiah 11:3]]

[[Matthew 4:4]]

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

[[Matthew 4:4]]

[[v. 3]]

He is like a tree
planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

[[v. 3]]

[[Genesis 39:3, 23]]

³When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did
²³The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

[[Genesis 39:3, 23]]

[[Proverbs 3:1–2]]

¹My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
²for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.

[[Proverbs 3:1–2]]

[[7–10]]

⁷Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
⁸This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
⁹Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

[[7–10]]

[[James 2:5]]

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

[[James 2:5]]

[[vv. 4–5]]

⁴Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked
will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

[[vv. 4–5]]

[[v. 4]]

Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.

[[v. 4]]

[[v. 5]]

Therefore the wicked
will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

[[v. 5]]

[[v. 6]]

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked
will perish.

[[v. 6]]

[[Genesis 1:28]]

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

[[Genesis 1:28]]

[[2:3]]

Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

[[2:3]]

[[Matthew 5:3–10]]

[[Psalm 1:1-2]]

[[v. 3d]]

Whatever he does prospers.

[[v. 3d]]

[[Romans 12:1–2]]

¹Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

[[Romans 12:1–2]]

Psalm 1

Psalm 1: How to be Successful

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