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PSALMS. Quoted over 400 times in the New Testament Composed over an 800 year period Authors: David; Moses; Solomon; Asaph, others. PSALMS. Psalmos a translation of m izmor A composition/song performed to musical accompaniment of the harp
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PSALMS • Quoted over 400 times in the New Testament • Composed over an 800 year period • Authors: David; Moses; Solomon; Asaph, others
PSALMS • Psalmos a translation of mizmor • A composition/song performed to musical accompaniment of the harp • “Book of Praises” (although filled with many aspects other than praise as well)
PSALMS • Originally used primarily in public worship in the tabernacle/temple • 1 Chronicles 15:16, 16:7 ff • In time of exile and later Roman occupation and dispersion of Jews they came to be used more in private worship (Ps. 137)
PSALMS • Early church used them in worship (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19) • The poems are poetry • THE PSALMS ARE UNIQUE IN THAT THEY RECORD WORDS SPOKEN TO AND ABOUT GOD as compared to words from God to us
PSALMS • Thus the Psalms are often prayers; that does not negate them also being God’s Word and His message to us • The Psalms are put together in five books • 1-41; 42-72; 73-89; 90-106; 107-150
Let’s Open Our HymnalsTo. . . Psalm 1
Psalm 1 • Placed at the beginning to introduce the book and to challenge us to live by its teaching • A “threshold” Psalm • Contrasts the wise/foolish; godly/ungodly; way of life/way of death
Stanza #1: The World Can Bea Dangerous Place to Live • The promise of “blessing” • Then he turns to negations—what the godly does not do • Like the 10 commandments, stated in terms of the negative
Stanza #1: The World Can Bea Dangerous Place to Live • The godly must make discriminating choices in a world that is hostile to the Lord and His ways • Counsel of the “wicked” • Path of “sinners” • Seat of “mockers” • Seemingly small decisions and steps can lead to destructive destinations
Stanza #1: The World Can Bea Dangerous Place to Live • “Bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33) • Romans 12:1-2; Eph. 5:15 • We are not to avoid interaction with the ungodly altogether (1 Cor. 5:9), but we must be wise in our interaction
Stanza #2: Our Greatest ExposureShould Be To God’s True Word • v. 2—Delight in the law of the Lord • “let your conscience be your guide” is not wise counsel • “Law of the Lord” encompasses now the whole counsel of God.
Stanza #2: Our Greatest ExposureShould Be To God’s True Word • John 6:68 • The Word points to Him, and His Words are “life”
Stanza #3: The Blessing Comes in Fruitful and Eternal Living • v. 3 • Growth and vitality come over time with right commitment • Discrimination that keeps at bay ungodly influence; feeding upon the right food.
Stanza #3: The Blessing Comes in Fruitful and Eternal Living • The two choices will be revealed in the tests of life and of eternity • Matthew 7:13-14; 24-29 • C.S. Lewis– The Great Divorce