In Psalm 1, David contrasts the Godly and the wicked. It is split into 3 stanzas, 1-2,3-4,5-6.
The first stanza describes how a righteous man avoids the way of a wicked man:
- He does not take the advice of a wicked person. (v1)
- He does not walk the same path as the wicked. (v1)
- He delights in the instruction of the LORD. (v2)
- He meditates on His instruction day and night. (v2)
- Like a tree planted by the water, bearing fruit in its season, and whose leaves do not wither.
- He exceeds in all he does.
- The wicked are like chaff blown away in the wind.
- The wicked will NOT survive judgment.
- Sinners will not be able to stand in the presence of the righteous.
- The LORD knows the way of the righteous
- Wickedness leads to death
Psalm 2
This chapter describes exactly what it means to be For or Against God. It seems most clear -- if you are not FOR God, you are AGAINST God. First he laughs at you. Then he speaks in his wrath, then the terrifies them in his fury. Be wise and serve the LORD. The alternative is death...
Psalm 3
This is a pretty powerful Psalm (so far). When it seems like the world is crashing in around me, I think this would be a Psalm well remembered. It talks about how God is our protector and sustainer. He takes our fear away and saves us from our enemies. Salvation is the Lord's and his people are blessed.
Psalm 4
Verse 1 identifies God as the "God of my righteousness." Maybe that uninteresting to you, but my first impression of that phrase identifies MY righteousness as GOD'S righteousness. As in: I am not good, but He does good works IN me, or something like that. Verse 4 says "Be angry, and do not sin" which seems to support the idea of righteousness. The sub text next to 'angry' indicates it might have been a liturgical or musical term. So, I'm kindof confused on the meaning or purpose of v4. Verse 7 says that God's joy is more fun than the best snacks and drinking games at the best party a college kid could dream of. (I may have taken a few liberties on that last one...)
Psalm 5
Chap5 starts of "God, are you listening? God, I think you're listening... Cool, God's listening." It goes on to say why BAD thing happen to BAD people, the benefits of being humble, describes what bad things happen to bad people, and how to not be found on the BAD list.
Concluding Remarks
This is a pretty fun way to force myself to engage God's word. I know some of it sounds like I'm poking fun, but it's at a level that I will understand a few weeks later. All 5 chapters seem to contrast the righteous and the wicked. I definitely want to be counted among the righteous. If you're only going to read 1 chapter of the 5, read chapter 3.
I am excited about what God is doing in my life. Are you excited about what He is doing in yours? A close friend of mine described the change God is affecting in me as a "re-commitment". From my perspective, there was not much commitment before hand, so I am not sure I agree with that assignment on my life. But I do know that a few months ago, God woke me up. And since nearly the beginning, I have been hung up on Doxology, which is like a short praise. My favorite one (so far) is in Jude, verses 24-25 (no chapters in Jude):
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling (some translations say sinning) and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)
The pastor of my church family said once that "good theology leads to good doxology". I hope to be able to report some doxology of my own soon.
Be blessed, and know that you are loved.
