←Psalm 1→BSB

In This Chapter 22 terms 2 themes 5 resources

Key Terms

Instruction 8 Sinful 4 Counsel 3 To Sin Sin Guilt (State) Transgression Sin (Act) Sin (Incur Guilt) Guilty (Responsible) Guilt (Consequence) Guiltiness Trespass (Sin) Sin (Offense) To Stand Guilty Sin (Guilty) Sin (Wrongdoing) Guilty Considered Guilty Guilty Of Sin Previously Sin Against

Themes

The Blessings of Jesus Wisdom Psalms

Resources

Psalms Book Overview Poor, the Articles Proverbs, Book of Articles Wisdom Literature Articles Word, Word of God, Words of God Articles

BOOK I

Psalms 1—41

The Two Paths

(Matthew 5:3–12; Luke 6:20–23)

ⓘ The first two psalms serve as an introduction...

The first two psalms serve as an introduction to the whole book of Psalms (called the Psalter). Psalm 1 presents the Lord's guidance in wisdom, while Psalm 2 shows God's rule over a rebellious and sinful world. Together, these psalms invite people to abandon foolishness, which leads to destruction. These psalms invite people to follow God's path instead, which leads to wisdom and salvation. The New Testament confirms that God will govern the nations through Jesus Christ, his chosen representative (Hebrews 1:5; Revelation 12:5; 19:15).
ⓘ The Lord brings true happiness to those who...

The Lord brings true happiness to those who turn away from evil and find joy in him.
ⓘ This wisdom psalm sets the tone for the...

This wisdom psalm sets the tone for the whole Psalter. The psalmist strongly contrasts the happiness of the godly with the condemnation of the wicked; in the end, the way of wisdom will triumph. This idealization of the godly person (as in Ps 8) highlights the Lord’s expectations of his people and especially of the coming Messiah (Ps 2). The people of Israel did not live up to this ideal, and neither did the kings of David’s dynasty. Not even the best of them could bring in the triumph of righteousness described in Psalms 1, 2, and 72. In the New Testament, the apostles’ use of the Psalter to describe the life and ministry of Jesus the Messiah confirms that Jesus alone fulfills the ideal of the godly person presented in the psalms. Only Jesus could please God and secure redemption, happiness, and peace. Psalm 1 introduces the hopeful anticipation of the final hallelujah (Ps 150), when the Lord will remove all evil from his creation and prosper his children.
ⓘ Psalms 1 and 8 form an inclusio (set...

Psalms 1 and 8 form an inclusio (set of literary bookends) that describes what God expects of the ideal person (cp. Pss 19; 33; 104; 145), contrasts the godly person with the wicked, and extols the godly person’s dignity. Jesus the Messiah (Ps 2)—the sovereign Lord (Heb 2:6–8; see 1 Cor 15:27) and perfection of humanity—embodies this ideal.
1Blessed is the manwho does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,or set foot on the path of sinners,or sit in the seat of mockers.2But his delight is in the Law of the LORD,and on His law he meditates day and night.
ⓘ The future belongs to the godly.

The future belongs to the godly.
3He is like a tree planted by streams of water,yielding its fruit in season,whose leaf does not wither,and who prospers in all he does.
4Not so the wicked!For they are like chaff driven off by the wind.5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6For the LORD guards the path of the righteous,but the way of the wicked will perish.