1 THE SONG OF PSALMS : BOOK ONE one Such cool breezes come from these songs. I don't know why I haven't done any devotionals in the Psalms before. Since walking through Psalm 23, I was so very aware of the beauty and majesty of the psalms; there is so much poeticness (yup, I just made up a word) in these phrases. I hope you will enjoy the journey walking with the LORD through these songs: Often you see comparison and contrasts in Scripture, but nowhere like what we see in the psalms; here in Psalm 1 is a perfect example - contrasting the righteous and the wicked. I call these phrases 'if-then clauses'. Do you see it? IF he (or you and I) does not walk in the counsel of the wicked nor stand in the path of sinners nor sit in the seat of scoffers THEN we will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water. I appreciate NASB's word insertion of firmly. Not that long ago, where my wife Megan and I were living, there were HUGE wind storms, enough to blow off shingles on rooftops, but even stronger than that, strong enough to uproot trees. It was quite scary and intriguing all at the same time to drive down the streets of our town and see which trees didn't make it and which did. It really 2 surprised us - some of the most 'rooted' trees were uprooted in seconds - and others, which were young and easily swayed, weren't uprooted because they were firmly rooted. Then it got me thinking (you were ready for this I'm sure)... What's worse? To be uprooted during a wind storm, or to be easily swayed by the wind, nimble enough not to be uprooted, but able to survive the storm. Well, in context of this psalm, it's better to be 'firmly rooted'. Notice the psalmist says that these 'righteous trees' yield their fruit in season and their leaves do not wither; and in whatever they do, they prosper. I don't see an eternal aspect of these words, but I do see a purpose to these trees. We should have the same purpose. It sure has me asking myself: what kind of a tree does the LORD require of me to be? A tree that is uprooted by strong winds or a tree that survives the storm? I think both. Sometimes it is ok to be swayed because the opinions blowing around aren't all that important and it would be good to listen to others' point of view (the Holy Spirit's discernment is very necessary here). But sometimes, I would argue only once, we need to allow the winds to uproot us because we will not be swayed and acknowledge that this might be the thing that uproots us. The wind could be a number of things, but I think, just in 3 context of these words of Psalm 1, it speaks of the righteous and the unrighteous. Again, I see the 'if then clause': IF we were to delight in the law of the LORD, and in His law meditate day and night, THEN we will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. I just love the inclusion of the name LORD. The very centre of this song is the LORD, aka YAHWEH. The LORD is the psalmists delight; the LORD is the blesser; the LORD knows the ways of the righteous man. I just get the feeling that the reason why we are often swayed is because we don't know the LORD well enough to know what He stands for. All the more reason to be firmly rooted in the Scriptures. May we KNOW the way of the righteousness from the hand of the LORD and WALK this path today by DELIGHTING in the law of the LORD, and MEDITATING on it day and night. two Quite an interestingly timely song, isn't it? This is an example of what is called a Royal Psalm. In other words, this describes a psalm that focuses on the kingly nature of the LORD. I imagine the psalmist 4 writing these words with a picture of the LORD in his mind, seated on His throne, and watching intently the ways of His creation. There are other passages of scripture that show other emotions of the LORD, but this text intrigues me the most, especially the line ‘He who sits in the heavens laughs, ...He scoffs at them’. (vs. 4) I picture Him leaning forward on His throne, leaning His arm on His knee, looking intently at the actions of His people, and leaning back with a chuckle with a glint in his eye saying, 'Who do they think they are? They have no idea Who I am!' This is an image that brings chills to my bones. The LORD, knowing how Holy and Just He is, scoffs at the ideas of the people; he laughs at the desires to be 'against the LORD and against His Anointed' (vs. 2). Notice how much this is a foreshadowing of what is to come in the image of Jesus Christ. The term anointed has a footnote to say that this also means Messiah. These people have no idea about Jesus, the coming Messiah. The LORD says 'As for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain' (vs. 6). God has it all figured out as to Who is to come to correct the ways of His creation and restore that which was lost. 5 Then the LORD breaks into this song of hope in His Messiah, His Son, Jesus: I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’ ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall shatter them like earthenware.’ God's got it all figured out. The answer is Jesus. He has begotten Him (cf. John 3: 16 - '...He gave His only begotten Son'). All through these verses we see Jesus. His fingerprints are in the ink that hasn't even dried yet. Let us take these words to heart: Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! (vss. 11, 12) May we take refuge in our Royal, Worthy of Praise, King of kings and LORD of lords! three Fleeing. Fleeing your homeland because of persecution. Fleeing your country in search of a better life. Fleeing a situation because of fear of 6 rejection, or hurt. Not many of us have experienced any of the above, except maybe the last. We all flee in some way or another. I've heard it said that you are either a 'fighter or flighter'...in other words, you either fight your way through or you fly! In many situations in my life (both good and bad), I find I am a flighter...don't like to stick around for fear of being hurt. David, in this psalm, is fleeing from his son Absalom. It's quite clear in this psalm that he fears for his life from his own son. I just find it quite encouraging that David, in his song to the LORD, seeks out refuge in Him AND flees. 'LORD,' David cries, 'Save me from my enemies' and while asking this, takes up his servants and flees from the attack of his son. I love the confidence that David communicates to his readers with the statements about and to his LORD: But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the LORD with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about. (vss. 3-6) What confidence can be found in no one else! The LORD is our Sustainer, our Fortress, our Redeemer. 7 I love the last phrase - Salvation belongs to the LORD. It's like David is saying God has a gift - a small but priceless box, neatly wrapped and with precious ribbon. It is set on a small table next to the LORD's throne. He is eagerly waiting for us to approach this throne of grace, to receive this priceless gift. This gift, though belonging to the LORD, is freely offered, in the name of His Son Jesus. We need not fear when as we can say with David: O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, 'There is no deliverance for him in God. (vss. 1, 2) There IS deliverance. There is safety. There is a place of comfort even if our adversaries increase. Thanks be to God for His Son, our Saviour, from all our adversaries, great and small. Though they rise against us, and though they may taunt and say There is no deliverance for him in God (vs. 2), there IS a Rock on which we stand.