Title: God's Blessing on the Devout
Contents
Psalm 1 God's blessing on the godly
Characteristics of Psalm 1
The first word in Psalm 1 is “blessing”. Psalm 1 and the entire Psalm begin with a declaration of ‘blessing’.
It is said that this blessing will come to those who faithfully respond to God's covenant. In other words, it is saying that blessings will come to those who believe in God's word and live according to it.
It has a deep meaning that this psalm proclaiming blessings became the first psalm among all the psalms, and there are two ways. The first is to give priority to the word that God encourages and invites God's people to live holy and godly lives through the psalmist. The second is to give priority to the assurance that the righteous - those who live godly - will eventually receive God's great reward. So, the psalmist put Psalm 1 at the front in order to say that this is what God is saying.
Psalm 1 is an introductory psalm that tells what the whole psalm is trying to say. That is, for those who care about God, for those who live a godly life, and for those who believe in God's promises and live godly. It was to inform them that this psalm was written to give hope.
Psalm 1 is a poem of wisdom. So it has many of the features found in Proverbs and other wisdom psalms. This psalm speaks first of the blessings of the godly, and then of living the way of life wisely.
1. The set apart of those who live godly (1-2)
“Blessed is the man”, the opening word of Psalm 1 and the opening verse of the entire Psalm, can be said to be the main word of the entire Psalm. The psalms are words of encouragement to individuals who want to live for the glory of God, but also words of encouragement to the community of faith, that is, the church.
‘Blessing’ is not an award. A reward is what I get when I do something. For example, a certificate of study is given. ‘Blessing’ is not something I receive as a ‘reward’ for doing something well.
Blessing is a gift. Blessing is a gift from God. A gift is a gift that is just given even though I have done nothing.
God made us sinners righteous. And you gave me a new life. And God protects His people who have no choice but to live under the judgment of sin. This is true blessing.
Anyone outside of God's blessing is "cursed." And in the end, this cursed person's life is futile. That's why Ecclesiastes 1:2 says, "Vanity and vanity, vanity, vanity, all things are vanity." Without God, the cursed life is just a vain life.
‘Happiness’ comes from ‘blessing’, which means that happiness is not a matter of emotions. Happiness is a matter of fact. Even if the 'justified' do not feel happy, they are still 'blessed' from God's point of view. God blessed them with a gift. Even if they have negative emotions emotionally, they cannot take away the blessing of God's promise.
Happiness is achieved through two actions. The first is separation from evil and the second is union with God. Believing in God well does not mean that the wicked go with their thoughts (magical tricks, small hair). And I do not stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the wicked. Whether sitting, standing, or walking, the wicked always think only of evil. You shouldn't imitate the lives of these people.
Deuteronomy 6:7 [KJV] Deuteronomy 6:7 Teach your children diligently, and when you sit at home and on the way, when you lie down and when you get up, you will preach the word.
Rather, God said, “Even though you know, live with the word for a long time or for a long time. This is the secret to being blessed.” Dear saints, I hope that our lives will not be lived with the evil thoughts of men, but that we will always be able to meditate on the Word of God.
The wicked appear in this verse. It was also expressed as an arrogant person, a sinner. The characteristics of the wicked are, in a word, those who have no interest in God and the Word of God. They reject God's instructions.
Proverbs 15:12 The scorner does not like to be rebuked, nor does he go to the wise. The wicked only promote fighting by their rude behavior. Therefore, the path of the fool is devoted to himself.
Verse 2 says that the righteous delight in the law of the Lord.
The word “law” here is the Torah, which means the word from God.
The purpose of this Torah is to help us understand God's will and apply it to our lives so that we can live in harmony with God.
The purpose of believers is not only to know, not to study, but not only to memorize, but also to obey the will of God. To rejoice means to rejoice in the children of God. The law is a delight. Joy. No more than joy.
The main desire of believers is to enjoy the law. Just as the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, the enjoyment of God's law is the fear of God.
Psalm 112:(1) Hallelujah Blessed is the man who fears the LORD and takes great delight in his commandments.
Also, it is said that a godly person meditates on the Law morning and evening. At that time, the Bible was not permitted to the general public. Because it was so rare. So they had no choice but to listen, recite and meditate on it.
Psalm 119: (11) I have put Your word in my heart, that I may not sin against You.
Psalm 63: (6) I will remember you on my bed, and I will do it in the night when I meditate on you.
To meditate day and night means to meditate on the Word of God all the time and live the Word of God prospering throughout your life.
2. The future of the blessed and the wicked (3-5)
It is said that the happiness of the believer is like a tree. But this tree is not like a tree in a desert or barren land, but rather like a tree in a stream - a reservoir passageway.
It is said that the fruit of the tree bears fruit according to the season, and the leaves become green leaves. This means that those who believe well in God will receive God's blessings and will enjoy their lives as if they were a gift from God. Ezekiel 47:(12) On the left and right sides of the river grow trees of every kind for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not be cut off; they will bear new fruit every month, and their water will come out of the sanctuary. will be
Prosperity given to the righteous is given because of faithfulness and obedience to God's Word. Therefore, the psalmist encourages believers to pursue the path of wisdom.
Because the prosperity of the righteous is God's gift to those who sincerely believe in God, and it is given only to them.
Then what will be the end of the wicked? (4-5) This psalmist is saying that in a word, it is like chaff. The reason I said 'chaff' is that 'chaff' has no value. It means 'I consider you' worthless, and the other means 'easy'. It means that God devalues the wicked and treats them easily. What he considers worthless is that when he winces in the wind, he treats him like the chaff. God will blow him away like the chaff of a rudder.
The end of the wicked is that there is no tomorrow. Their end is that they cannot stand the judgment of God. that it cannot be avoided. The wicked are excluded from the assembly of the righteous. The righteous will later rejoice and have fun with God and the angels. But the wicked are excluded from these gatherings.
3. God's separate way (6)
Verse 6 says that God is a God of judgment. The reason we can know that judgment is certain is because we know God's attitude toward mankind. God's knowledge is so deep. The knowledge of God has a very deep affection. There is love. God cares. So this means that God takes care of every danger.
However, the person who is not reconciled with God does not have God's protection. No, in the end there is only destruction and judgment. Matthew 7:(23) Then I will say to them plainly, I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.
Brothers and sisters, we are already blessed. Because we have been called to be children of God by the grace of God and through the merits of Jesus Christ. To us who were promised blessings, God has given us these blessings in our promises. We hope that you will enjoy and enjoy this promise, and we should become more faithful believers in God.