My Bible study notes for Wednesday night, Jan 15th. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. They are provided as an outline each week for our Tabernacle Church family. You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, Prayer List, and other resources at our Church Website.
Psalm 1:1-6
INTRO
This wisdom psalm basically functions as an introduction to the entire Book of Psalms. Its theme is as big as the whole Bible because it tells of people, paths, and ultimate destinations (for a significant parallel, see Jer. 17:5–8). By two elements of contrast, Psalm 1 separates all people into their respective spiritual categories:
By Observation, All People Are Separated Ethically (1:1–4)
- A Picture of the Godly (1:1–3)
- A Picture of the Ungodly (1:4)
By Outcome, All People Are Separated Judicially (1:5-6)
- The Failure of Ungodly People (1:5)
- The Fruition of Lifestyles (1:6)
- Recognition of the godly (1:6a)
- Ruination of the ungodly (1:6b)[1]
Two Lives. Two Paths. Two Outcomes.
The Blessed – vv. 1-3
Walk in the counsel of wicked
- Considering
Stands in the way of sinners
- Contemplating
Sits in the seats of scoffers
- Comfortable
Key is Spiritual Discernment
- Ones walk. Purpose in life
- A proper view of the world/sin
- Our beliefs determine our actions and behavior
Delight
- The Blessed DELIGHT IN THE THINGS OF GOD
- HIS WORD. HIS TRUTH. HIS WAY
- Spiritual happy. Desire
- Becomes a pattern. Way of life.
- For us today…
- Love His Word
- Read His Word
- Trust His Word
- Obey His Word
- DELIGHT IN HIS WORD
The Fruits of the life
- Stability and strength – planted by the waters
- Fruit – yields in its season
- Endurance – Does not wither
PROSPER IN ALL HE DOES
- Inner peace and outward fruit.
The Wicked – vv. 4-6
THE OPPOSITE OF THE GODLY – vv. 1-2
Live a life of sin
- Those that walks, stands, sits
No fruit
- No Purpose. Peace
- No direction CHAFF
- WORTHLESS…blows around
Face the judgment of God
- Will not stand… will not survive
- Sinners not in the congregation of the righteous
- One delights… the other despairs
We cannot live this life on our own merit, but thanks to the righteousness of Jesus Christ, it is possible. He accomplished what no one else could by living a perfect life on our behalf. When we repent of our sins and place our faith in Him, we are able to walk with Him, follow Him, and produce the fruits of repentance.
[1] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005), Ps 1:1–6.