Psalm 1

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.

4 Not so the wicked!   They are like chaff   that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 1 Two Ways of Living

vs. 1-3  Like a tree planted by water

·         This is a wisdom psalm that compares two types of people with two different ways of life.  What are the two types of people?  What is the difference between then and what is the difference in the outcome of their lives?

·         1: What does the word “blessed” mean in the Bible?  [Supremely happy or fulfilled]  What type of person is blessed according to verse 1? 

·         1: Many Bible commentators notice a downward progression in verse 1.  Do you notice it?  What is it and what might it mean?  [The person first walks, then stands, and then sits.  As Charles Spurgeon said, “When men are living in sin they go from bad to worse.  At first they merely walk in the counsel of the careless and ungodly, who forget God—the evil is rather practical than habitual—but after that, they become habituated to evil, and they stand in the way of open sinners who willfully violate God’s commandments; and if let alone, they go one step further, and become themselves pestilent teachers and tempters of others, and thus they sit in the seat of the scornful” (Boice, Psalms, 1:16).]  Do you agree that sin seems to have this downward pull?

·         1: What does it mean to walk in the counsel of sinners?  [One way is when we take the advise of those who have a worldview that does not include God.  They value the wrong things.]  What does it mean to stand in the way of sinners?  [We stop and join them in the sinful things they do.]  What does it mean to sit in the seat of scoffers?  [To become settled as a person that not only sins, but mocks God and is a bad influence on others.]  Notice that this downward slide starts slowly, just letting yourself be in a position to be influenced by those who don’t care about God.  Many people probably don’t realize the slide as it starts to happen.   

·         1: What are some real life examples of these things? 

·         2: Notice the word “but” in verse 2.  The person in verse two is unlike the person in verse 1.  How?  [Instead of being influenced by what the world has to say, this person is influenced by what God has to say.] 

·         2: In verse 2, what is the person’s attitude and action toward God’s Word?  [He delights in it rather than despising it.  What God teaches is a joy to him.  He also mediates on it constantly.  That means that he thinks about what God says and why it matters.] 

·         3: What it the result for the person in verse 2?  What is he like and what does that mean?  [He is like a tree.  Trees have roots and are not easy to move.  (We will see that this is a contrast to the wicked who are like chaff.)  Further, he is like a tree that is planted by streams of water.  He is not like a tree in the desert that is dying and ready to crumble.  The man or woman of God is strong, resilient, and growing because they are constantly getting nourishment from God’s Word.  That is why their leaf does not wither, even when the air is hot and the rain is gone.  The stream keeps the tree alive and healthy.  The water of the Word also causes them to yield fruit.  That means that their lives produce good and useful things.]  Why are these things the results for those who delight and meditate in God’s Word?  Do you see this in the lives of Christians you know?  (Do you see it in yourself?)

vs. 4-6  The wicked are like chaff

·         4: In contrast to a tree rooted by water, what are the wicked like?  How is this different from the way the other person is described in verse 3?  [They are like chaff.  They are like tiny flakes of dead leaves.  Chaff is light and worthless.  Unlike a tree, it is blown away by the wind.  Unlike a tree, it is not alive.  Unlike a tree, it does produce fruit.  In fact, chaff is the part of the gain that blows away when the ancient farmers would separate the gain from the chaff.  Unlike a tree by water, it is not permanent.]  What does this mean?  What does this say about the result of living a life apart from God’s Word? 

·         4: How does remembering verse 4 help us to avoid the temptation of the things in verse 1? 

·         5: The Day of Judgment will not go well for those who have walked away from God.  When God separates the wheat from the chaff, they will not remain.  They will blow away into judgment.

·         6: We have seen two ways of life as two roads.  What is the final destination at the end of each of these roads?  [For those who trust God and His Word, God will watch over them.  However, those who don’t care about God or what He says, in the end they will perish.]

·         People who don’t care about God think that Christians are wasting their lives.  They think that we are missing out on many of the pleasures of life.  But instead, if they could only see the big picture and where the roads lead, they would see that they are completely wrong.  If only they would see this before it is too late.

·         Which of these two ways of life do you want?  If so, then what do you need to be doing?

·         By the way, none of us perfectly fit the description of the righteous man in this Psalm.  Even the “heroes” of the Bible all sinned, except for one.  Jesus Christ is the only perfect man who always denied the influence of sin and delighted in obedience to God’s Word.  He lived the life we should have lived, so that we can have life through Him.

Psalm 2 Taking on the King 

vs. 1-3  Rebelling against the King

·         1-2: Psalm 2 is considered a Messianic psalm because it contains several statements that find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.  The Hebrew word Messiah means Anointed One.  (Christ is the equivalent in Greek.)  The king of Israel was also anointed as the king.  Much of this Psalm may have had King David as the original subject, but the New Testament writers make it clear that it is ultimately about Christ Jesus.  For example, in Acts 4:25-27 Peter and John quote Psalm 2:1-2 and apply it to Herod and Pontius Pilate conspiring against Christ.  

·         1-3: If this Psalm is ultimately about the Messiah Jesus Christ, what does this Psalm tell us about mankind’s attitude toward God?  [The human heart is in rebellion against God.  We want to throw off the rule of the Lord, the King.  Sin is not merely breaking a rule; it is rebellion.  As R.C. Sproul says, we need to realize that all sin is “cosmic treason” again the King of the universe.] 

·         Commentators see this Psalm as divided into four equal parts of three verses each.  Each section focuses on a different speaker.  The first section is from the point of view of the rebellious rulers of the earth, with their quote of rebellion in verse 3.  The second section, verses 4-6, is from the point of view of God the Father.  The Messiah speaks in the thirds section, verses 7-9.  Finally, the last section has a conclusion given by a narrator.  This narrator, directly or indirectly, is the Holy Spirit.   

vs. 4-6  The King laughs

·         4: This verse says, “The One enthroned in heaven laughs.”  God laughs.  Do you think this would be a good verse to use if you were trying to show that God has a light-hearted sense of humor?  After all, it does say that God laughs. Right?  [That would be carelessly ripping this verse out of context!  The rest of verse 4 says that God “scoffs” at them.  Verse 5 says God rebukes them in anger.  This isn’t an example of jolly, light-hearted laughter.  This is God mocking his enemies before He destroys them!  Maybe the most important rule in Bible study is: context, context, context!] 

·         (7: By the way, I do think that God has a sense of humor.  However using this verse to prove it is abusing Scripture.)  

·         5: Rather than viewing God in a lighthearted way, what does this verse communicate to us?  [It is a terrifying thing for the Almighty to be against you.]   

·         6: What is the point of verse 6?  [God has installed the true King.  Jesus is the ultimate King who will rule on the throne of David.  (Zion is another name for Jerusalem, where David’s throne was located.)  Christ’s kingdom will not be destroyed, no matter how much mankind rebels against Him.  As God would later speak through the prophet Daniel, “He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”  (Daniel 7:14)  Rebellion against God is foolishness.  It will not succeed.]  

vs. 7-9  The Son shall rule

·         7: Some commentators see this verse as a reference to the symbolic adoption of the Jewish king by God at the time of the king’s inauguration.  That may or may not be the case.  Either way, the New Testament also applies this verse to Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  See Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5 and 5:5.  Also, two times during Christ’s earthly ministry—His baptism and the transfiguration—the Father spoke from heaven saying, “You are My Son” or “This is my beloved Son.”   

·         7: Because Psalm 2:7 uses the word “today” this verse probably is not a reference to the “eternal generation” of the Son of God.  Christian theology teaches that Jesus was “eternally begotten” by God the Father.  The Creed of Nicaea from 325 says that, “We believe in… Jesus Christ the Son of God, begotten from the Father, Only-begotten, that is, from the substance of the Father, God of God, light of light, true God of true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father…”  The heretic Arius taught that, “there was once when he was not” and “before being begotten he did not exist.”  Arius’ teachings were rejected because they made Christ to be less than fully God.  It is important to realize that the Son of God is eternal.  The Son is not “made” but He is eternally begotten.  If He was created, then He is a part of creation and not fully God.  However, the Father has always been the Father and the Son has always been the Son.  Jesus did not become the Son at the incarnation or His baptism.  For example John 3:14 says that God sent His Son into the world.  Verses like this show that Christ was already the Son before He was sent into the world.  Again, Psalm 2:7 is probably not a reference to the eternal generation of the Son.  Instead, it may be a reference to Him being declared, “firstborn from among the dead” (Colossians 1:18).  Although Christ has always been the Son of God, in some sense Jesus was declared to be the Son in another sense at his resurrection.  In the same way, Romans 1:4 states that Jesus was, “declared with power to be the Son of God by resurrection from the dead.” 

·         8: Although Jesus is already the Lord over everything, at His return He will directly rule over all the nations of the earth.  Also look at what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:24-28.   

·         9: What does the reference to the iron scepter and the pottery mean?  [He will rule with strength.  He will break his enemies like someone smashing pottery on the ground.]  This verse is quoted and applied to Christ in Revelation 2:27 and 12:5. 

vs. 10-12  Serve the Lord with fear

·         10-12: What are the conclusions and applications does the Psalm gives in these verses?  Why does verse 10 tell kings to be wise?  (Remember their attitude in the first three verses.)   

·         11: Based on what this Psalm teaches, why is a certain type of fear and trembling appropriate for our worship of God? 

·         11: Isn’t it a contradiction to tell people to “rejoice with trembling”?  Shouldn’t worship always be lighthearted?  (Is there much worship that happens these days that would be considered “rejoicing with trembling”?  Why do you think that is?) 

·         12: What does it mean to kiss the Son?  [Rebellion or refuge.  Instead of rebelling against the Messiah, as the people did in verses 1-3, we should bow in worship, service, and adoration to the Messiah.  Rebellion against God leads to disaster, but by His grace we can come to Him as savior to find perfect eternal refuge.  Blessed is he who takes refuge in Him.  Is He your refuge?]

Psalm 3

A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.

2 Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him."
       Selah

3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

4 To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.
       Selah

5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

6 I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.

7 Arise, O LORD!  Deliver me, O my God!  Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

8 From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
       Selah

Psalm 3 I Will Not Fear the Tens of Thousands 

vs. 1-2  How many are my foes

·         This Psalm has several firsts:  It is the first with an introductory title, “A Psalm of David.  When he fled from his son Absalom.”  It is the first time the word psalm occurs.  (The word psalm is from the Hebrew word mizmor, a poem to be sung to musical accompaniment.)  It is the first of many psalms that lists David as the author.  It is also the first psalm that tells the historical situation in which it was written. 

·         What can you learn about the background of this psalm from the description written before verse 1?  Note: Although the introductory titles are not given a verse number, they are a part of the text of the Hebrew Bible and were not added by the editors of our modern translations. 

·         The story of King David fleeing from his son Absalom is found in 2 Samuel 15-16.  Take some time to read and discuss it.  [Context: Because of his sin with Bathsheba in 2 Sam. 11-12, David’s life was torn apart with family troubles.  Although David had been anointed king of Israel, the kingdom was suddenly torn away from him by the rebellion of Absalom, his own son, who stole the hearts of the people.  David had to leave Jerusalem and was forced to flee for his life.]  What emotions do you think that David must have felt as he went through the situations in 2 Samuel 15-16?  What would it be like for David to have someone from his own family betray him like this?    

·         1-2: What do you see in verses 1 and 2 that show how David was feeling in this situation?  What made the opposition to David feel so intense?  [In addition to other things David must have been feeling, he specifically mentions (1) the great number of people who were against him.  He says “how many” twice in verse 1.  Also (2) they were trying to discourage David by saying that God would not deliver him.]  What is it like to feel like the whole world is against you?  What are different ways people respond in times like this? 

·         2: This is the first time in the Psalms that we encounter the word Selah.  This word is found in the Hebrew text of the Bible; It is not added by the translators or the editors.  Although Salah occurs often in the Psalms (71 times), scholars don’t really know what it means, although it seems to be some sort of musical term.  Some scholars think that it indicated a pause in the singing or a musical interlude, probably so that the people can stop and think about the words before moving on.   

vs. 3-4  You are a shield around me

·         3-4: Let’s assume that selah means that we are supposed to pause to think.  If that is the case, how are the verses after this pause different from the verses before this break?  (Notice the word “but.”)  Has there been a change of attitude?  Why do you think that happened?  [David changes from focusing on his enemies to focusing on God.  This changes everything.] 

·         3: What three things does verse 3 say about God and what He does?  What do they mean?  [(1) The Lord is a shield around David.  A shield protects; The Lord protects.  (2) The Lord bestows glory on him, rather than shame.  (3) The Lord lifts his head.  This means that the Lord changes his attitude and outlook from depressed to hopeful.]  How do we apply this ourselves? 

·         James Boice writes in his commentary, “When a believer gazes too long at his enemies, the force arrayed against him seems to grow in size until it appears to be overwhelming.  But when he turns his thoughts to God, God is seem in his true, great stature, and the enemies shrink to manageable proportions.” 

·         4: What happens in verse 4?  [David calls upon the Lord.  The Lord answers him.  In the same way, we too should bring out hurts, fears, and needs to God.  He will respond.] 

vs. 5-6  I lie down and sleep

·         5: After the selah between verses 4 and 5, how is David’s attitude changes even more?  Why does he say that he lies down and sleeps?  Why is that important?  [It is hard to sleep when your life is in danger and a lot of people are trying to kill you!  But, by trusting in the Lord as his shield, David was able to move away from deep discouragement and fear.  God was able to give him rest.]  Can God do this for you as well?   

·         5: Not only does David sleep, but he wakes up again.  He is not killed in his sleep.  The Lord preserves him. 

·         6: What does David say in verse 6?  What is his reason for this?  Can you say the same thing about the thousands of troubles that seem to be surrounding you?  Remember, if your focus is on your enemies, you will feel overwhelmed because there really is no way that you can overcome the odds that are against you.  But, if your focus is on the God of the universe who loves you and even gave His Son for you, then everything changes.  Remember to have that focus when the hard times come!  You need to remember.  

vs. 7-8  From the Lord comes deliverance

·         7: What does David ask in verse 7?  [Verse 7 is a cry for deliverance.  It is a war cry!  David asks for the Lord to come to his aid and to fight his battle.  Not only does David move from fear to security, he moves from defense to offense.] 

·         7: By the way, some people would be shocked to see a passage in the Psalms asking for God to break the teeth of his enemies!  That doesn’t seem like the gentle thing that God should do.  What do you think about that?  (Psalms like this are called imprecatory Psalms.)  God is loving, but He also comes to the aid of those He loves and fights against the wicked.  If your view of God is too “soft” you might not receive the comfort from Him that you need to have.  We need to have a God who is big enough to fight our fights.  This frees us up to love others because God says, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (Deut. 32:35; Romans 12:19.)   

·         8: David concludes by stating confidently that deliverance comes from the Lord.  God is concerned for His people.  May His blessing be upon you, and may you trust Him in your time of fear.