GOD’S SURE AND ETERNAL WORD

Sunday, August 18, 2013

 

 

 

I.  Psalm 1

 

The introduction to Psalm 1, (from the NIV Study Bible, Zondervan Publishers).

“…Godly wisdom here declares the final outcome of the two ‘ways’: ‘the way that sinners take’ (v.1) and ‘the way of the righteous’ (v. 6)…As part of the introduction to the Psalter, this psalm reminds the reader (1) that those of whom the Psalms speak (using various terms) as people of God, those whom he receives in his presence and favors with his salvation and blessing, must be characterized by delight in God’s revealed will – those who stubbornly choose the way of sinners have no place among them… – and  (2) that the godly piety that speaks in the Psalms is a faithful response to God’s revealed (and written) directives for life – which is the path that leads to blessedness.  For a prime indicator of the psalm’s central theme cf. the first and last words, which frame the whole (‘Blessed…destroyed’).”

 

– This first Psalm serves as the gateway into the entire book of Psalms.  It stresses that those who would worship God genuinely must embrace his Word (covenant instruction).

 

– Throughout the Psalm, take of note the contrast of the righteous and the wicked.  This reveals a certain truth about the world we live in.  We need God’s Word.

 

– This Psalm sets the stage for the hostility of the ungodly toward the righteous seen throughout Scripture.

 

– This Psalm’s central point is that the righteous who lives a life in harmony with Scripture, untarnished by the surrounding culture, will be saved from the judgment of God on the ungodly.

 

– 2. “…but his delight is in the law (torah, or instruction) of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.”  This should be the earmark of all true believers; a certain indicator of the new birth.

 

– 3. “Yields fruit,” and “prospers.”  Fruit is for the benefit of others.  Only those who delight in God’s Word and faithfully follow His precepts can be a blessing to others.

 

“Reference is not first of all to health and wealth but to the assurance and experience that they live under the guardianship and faithful care of the gracious Lord of life”(NIV Study Bible).

“Like a tree…does not wither…such a tree withstands the buffeting of the winds and, flourishing, it blesses people, animals and birds with its unfailing fruit and shade”(NIV Study Bible).

 

– 5. “righteous.  One of several terms in the OT for God’s people; it presents them as those who honor God and order their lives in all things, according to his will.  In every human relationship they faithfully fulfill the obligations that the relationship entails, remembering that power and authority (of whatever sort: domestic, social, political, economic, religious, intellectual) are to be used to bless, not to exploit” (NIV Study Bible).

 

– 6.             a. “The LORD knows” must be something stronger than simply “know about,”             since God knows about the wicked and their deepest secrets.  God knows His             own intimately and with affection. 

            – The HCSB and the NIV both say, “the LORD watches over the way of the             righteous.”  The CEB says, “The LORD is intimately acquainted with the way of             the righteous.”

            b. This last verse reminds us that in the end there are really only two ways to             live.  One way leads to life, the other to destruction.

 

 

II.  Psalm 12

 

– This Psalm reflects the consternation of the psalmist over the surrounding wickedness.  It appears to be a lament, suited to occasions when liars in positions of authority dominate the people of God.

 

– 6.  “To say that God’s words are pure, refined, and purified is to insist that they have no ‘dross’ of lies, flattery or insincerity; God means what he says; his words are completely pure” (ESV Study Bible, Crossway Bibles).

 

– In the midst of a corrupt world, believers can rest assured that God is will keep His promises to those who are his own.

 

 

III.  Psalm 19

 

– Nature reveals the reality of the existence of God. 

 

– As sure as there is a created world with fixed and sure principles as the rising of the sun, so God’s Word is absolutely certain, and can be trusted.

 

– Circumstances and feelings do not alter the course of nature; the sun still rises and sets, so neither can circumstances and feelings alter the truthfulness of God’s world. 

 

– A perverse and corrupted culture cannot change the veracity of God’s Word however hard it tries.

 

 

IV.  The Scriptures Reveal Jesus Christ.

 

– The following passages make clear the truth that Jesus Christ is the center of the Old Testament revelation.  The Scriptures speak of Him.

 

John 5:39; Romans 1:1 – 3; Luke 24:25 – 27; Luke 24:44 – 47