A Bible Study, One Verse at a Time: March 2012

Friday, March 16, 2012

Psalm 1: Final thoughts and application

Today we conclude our look at Psalm 1 with some final thoughts and applications.

You can find the initial overview and observations to Psalm 1, at this link.

And here is where you can find the verse overviews of Psa 1:1-2 Psa 1:3 Psa 1:4 and Psa 1:5-6

For any person who does not have easy access to Bible software you can look up all cross references listed in this blog at the Bible Gateway website. It is easy and quick to use and you can choose from many different translations. The cross references are a big part of any Bible Study that we may undertake!

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; (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 that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (4) The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. (5) Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; (6) for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

(Psalms 1:1-6 ESV)

Biblical principles

Given the original context, what does the text mean? -- In this case the text means simply what it says. Blessed is the man who focuses (meditates) on God's law and delights in that law. The blessed man will not and does not keep the ways of the wicked. And the wicked shall be separated from the righteous at the judgment and shall perish.
What fundamental Universal truths are presented in this passage? -- See above.
What issues in our own culture and my own situation does this truth address? -- It is often very difficult in todays' world to keep our focus on God and His word. We become distracted by work, play, worries of our lives ( Mat_6:25-34 ) and keeping up with the Joneses!!
What are the implications when applied to my life and the world around me? -- See above. I need to try harder to stay focused on what is most important: God and His word!!
What changes does it require? -- Maybe not too many changes as I am doing all right at the moment. (or so I thought when I originally wrote this!) But it does require diligence (and here is where I slipped a bit!!) and prayer to continue on the correct path and to continue to improve!
What values does it reinforce? What difference does it make? -- It makes all the difference. The psalms open up with a direct plan on how to be close to God! (Psa 2:1-12 contains what seems like an obvious reference to Jesus!! Thus making the first two Psalm exceedingly important, as faith in Jesus is the most important thing to a right relationship with God! A person who meditates on God's word will know that. Interesting!!)

Application

Is there an example to follow? -- Yes! Follow the example of the blessed man! Delight in the law of the Lord! Meditate on it day and night.
Is there a sin to avoid? -- Yes! Avoid the ways and paths of the sinners and the wicked.
Is there a promise to Claim? -- Yes! If we do as directed in Psa 1:2 we will prosper and yield fruit. and the Lord will know (watch over) our way!
Is there a command to obey? -- Yes! Meditate on God's law. Avoid the ways of the wicked.
Is there a condition to meet? -- I would say yes. Same as the command.
Is there a verse to memorize? -- Psa 1:1-2
Is there an error to mark? -- Yes! The error would be to congregate with the wicked.
Is there a challenge to face? -- Yes! It is often difficult to stay focused on God's word and make it a part of our daily life. (as I have found out for myself this past week!)

Application Summary

To continue to study God's word. To read God's word. To live as directed by God's word. To PRAY to God for direction and forgiveness! To desire to know God and His will for me and His ways!

Commentaries

Believer's Bible Commentary: Mentions that we will be in contact with the sinners through the cycle of daily life. We are even to be a friend to them but NOT to partner with them or to follow their ways.
Matthew Henry: Henry disagrees with above sentiment from the Believer's Bible Commentary. Henry seems to think that no real association with the sinners is to take place,
My thoughts on the slight disagreement in commentaries: I get what Henry is saying to an extent! BUT I also know that in my life God has placed people who have been a help, been loving, and helped me heal who are not followers of Jesus. If I had not been friends with these people I don't know where I might be. Again I think it is up to us to trust God's plan and will, and to use prayer as our discernment on who we are friends with.

Final Thoughts

This does bring up a weakness of mine! Although I am getting SO MUCH better at meditating on and delighting in God's Word and am getting SO MUCH better at following God's command and living cleaner (with ALL thanks to God for that!) I still have not picked a Church. I have no one to congregate with. I need to think on this. This may be an application that God wants me to make! (I am sure of it) It is time for me to find a congregation. Being in a congregation of people who also follow Jesus Christ and are all focused on God will give me strength, will make me accountable, will help bring me closer to God because I will be doing more of what He wants me to do!!

My next study will be on the Ten Commandments, with some surrounding context as well.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Psalm 1, Today's verses are Psalm 1:5-6

Today we continue our verse by verse look into Psalm 1 by taking a look at Psalms 1:5-6 You can find the initial overview and observations to Psalm 1, at this link.

And here is where you can find the verse overviews of Psa 1:1-2 Psa 1:3 and Psa 1:4

Psalms 1:5-6

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
(Psalms 1:5-6 ESV)

Observations

Psa_1:5-6 are a conclusion. (THEREFORE!) The Psalm concludes with two more contrasts of the wicked and the blessed man, called righteous in these two verses. The main characters are the sinners, the righteous and God Himself. The wicked will not STAND in the judgment or in the congregation of the righteous. God knows the righteous! The wicked will perish. (an expression of time--there IS no expression of time applied to the righteous in this verse. This relates to the comparison of the never withering leaf in Psa 1:3) (grammatical considerations are dealt with in the preceding paragraph)

My Questions:

Is stand a further continuation of the tree comparison? (NO not really) What exactly does the psalmist mean by "the Lord knows the way of the righteous?" Or is the ESV translation of knows not as accurate as some other translations? How does this compare exactly to the wicked perishing?

Things emphasized:

In no uncertain terms will the wicked be allowed to stand with the righteous. God will not allow it. An interesting contrast is that the Blessed man chooses to follow God and chooses not to follow the sinners, while at the judgment the sinners are no longer given a choice because they have already made their choice. Or so it would seem... Or am I being too judgmental with that comment??

Important terms

Wicked:

See notes to Psa_1:1

stand:

E Sword concordance search---- Num 30:4-12 Jos 7:12-13 Job 19:25 Psa 24:3 Psa 89:43 Psa 94:16 Pro 19:21 Isa 7:7 Isa 8:10 Isa 14:24 Isa 28:18 Jer 44:28 Jer 44:29
Definition--- (differs from Hebrew word found in Psa 1:1 ) to arise to stand up! The physical action of rising up or the resultant end of that action. Mounce states that this Hebrew word is often used with reference to military battle and in this verse it is used to signify "to survive or continue". (see cross references above) I have also noticed that when used as "to survive or continue", it most often refers to God allowing something to continue or not.

The judgement:

E Sword concordance search----- Exo 28:15 Exo 28:29 Exo 28:30 Lev 19:15 Jos 20:6 Psa 7:6 Psa 9:7 Psa 9:16 Psa 76:9 Psa 94:15 Isa 5:16 Isa 54:17 Isa 66:16 Jer 25:31 Dan 7:26 Mat 10:15 Joh 5:22 Joh 5:30 Joh 8:16 Rom 2:2 Rom 2:3 2Co 5:10 Heb 6:2 Heb 10:27 1Pe 4:17 2Pe 2:9 1Jn 4:17 Jud 1:15
Definition---- a judgment or legal decision.

Sinners:

See notes to Psa 1:1

Righteous:

E Sword concordance search----- Gen 6:9 Gen 7:1 Gen 18:23-28 Deu 4:8 Psa 5:12 Psa 7:11 Psa 34:15 Psa 34:19 Psa 37:29 Pro 12:26 Isa 3:10 Jer 33:15 Mat 13:43 Mat 13:49 Gal 3:11 Jas 5:16 1Jn 3:7
Defininition----- an adjective meaning just. Someone is considered to be righteous because of conformity to a given standard. In this verse (and often in the Bible) the righteous one is the one who is conforming to God's standard.

the way:

See notes to Psa_1:1

Other cross references

Ecc 3:17 Psa 146:8 Psa 37:3-5 Mat 7:14 Dan 12:13 Job 23:10 Nah 1:7 Joh 10:14 Joh 10:27 Rev 2:2 Rom 8:29 Isa 26:7 Psa 145:20

Answers to my questions above.:

The Lord knowing the way of the righteous (most likely) means that since the blessed man meditates on God's law day and night (and that means having accepted His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior!) then God acknowledges that person. The wicked perish because they have not acknowledged God's will so He does not acknowledge them and they are then separated at the judgment. I am interpreting a bit based on prior study.

Summary

These two verses conclude the poem. The wicked will not stand nor will they be allowed to congregate with the righteous. (remember from Psa 1:4 that the wicked have been driven away like chaff!) The Lord knows (watches over) the way (path) of the righteous (those who conform to His will which as described here is to meditate on His law day and night--this is a large subject). The wicked will perish, the poem makes no mention of the righteous ending! For they (the blessed or righteous) will prosper. ( Psa 1:3 )

Friday, March 2, 2012

Psalms 1, Today's Verse is Psalms 1:4

Today we continue our verse by verse look into Psalm 1 by taking a look at Psalms 1:4 You can find the initial overview and observations to Psalm 1, at this link.

And here is where you can find the verse overviews of Psa 1:1-2 and Psa 1:3

Psalm 1:4

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

(Psalms 1:4 ESV)

Observations

Psa 1:4 is a description of the negatives that the wicked are likely to encounter. The main character is the wicked man. (although the Hebrew word for wind used in the text also insinuates that God is a main character in this text!) It is also continues the comparison to the blessed man by contrasting the wicked to the description of the blessed man in Psa_1:3 The wicked are not permanent as they are eventually blown away. (an abstract expression of time) It continues the contrast of the wicked and righteous (blessed man).

My Questions:

None really as this is fairly cut and dry. The blessed man is the tree with roots who stands firm while the wicked have no roots and are easily blown away and discarded. Is wind a metaphor for spirit?? (YES) Related to the parable of the planting seeds?? (YES) Or the building of the houses? (YES)

Thing emphasized:

The sinners have no staying power. They are separated (by the wind)

Things alike:

The wicked are LIKE the chaff that is driven away.

Grammatical considerations:

ARE. The wicked are! Meaning this is what will happen to them.

Important Terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publisher, Vine's Expository Dictionary and/or

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

Wicked:

see notes to Psa_1:1

Chaff:

E Sword concordance search---- Exo 15:7 Job 13:25 Job 21:18 Psa 83:13 Psa 35:5 Isa 17:13 Isa 29:5 Mat 3:12 Luk 3:17
Definition---- the fine pieces of grain given to animal as fodder, figuratively indicating what is useless or worthless. Another thought here is that the wicked are left unprotected from the wind. Either way chaff indicates something that is very much expendable.

wind:

E Sword concordance search----- Gen 8:1 Exo 10:13 Exo 14:21 Exo 15:10 Num 11:31 2Sa 22:11 Job 1:19 Psa 18:10 Psa 35:5 Isa 27:8 Isa 32:2 Isa 41:16 Eze 17:10
Definition---- spirit, wind, breath. The word is often used to refer to the Spirit of God. (or sometimes God's actions such as in Exo 10:13 or Gen 8:1 )

drives away:

E Sword concordance search---- Psa 68:2 Pro 14:32 Isa 19:7 Hos 13:3
definition----- to drive away or to be driven about. Blow something away etc.

Other relevant cross references:

Chaff: Jer 23:28 Dan 2:35
Wind: Joh 3:8 Eph 4:14 Amo 4:13 Act 2:2

Summary

This verse continues contrasting the blessed man and the wicked. (a main theme of the entire Psalm!) In Psa_1:3 the blessed man is called a tree planted by water who will yield fruit and prosper. Now in Psa_1:4 we are told the wicked are not like the blessed man in this respect. The wicked are like chaff (unneeded, expendable) and are driven away (scattered, discarded) by the wind. And the particular Hebrew word for wind that was used in the Psalm is used to refer to the Spirit of God! God Himself will discard the wicked and drive them away. This is a direct consequence of the wicked NOT delighting in the law (instructions) of the Lord and for NOT meditating on it day and night!