Comments on: Applying the Wisdom of Psalm 1

By: Fearing God in a Hebel World » Blog Archive » Psalm 2 & David’s Dynasty

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 02:18:28 +0000

[...] at Psalm 1, the first wisdom psalm, with two posts: “The Wisdom of Psalm 1” and “Applying the Wisdom of Psalm 1.” With this post, we will begin an examination of Psalm 2, one of the theocratic kingship [...]

By: Bob McCabe

Bob McCabe — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:22:42 +0000

Thanks for your observations. In the early part of my ministry, my focus was on v. 1 of Psalm 1. However, as I grew theologically and exegetically, I realized that the separation of v. 1 is predicated on one’s joyful study of the biblical truth, as v. 2 suggests. And, when v. 2 is worked out in one’s perseverance, there is great delight in the God who watches over and guides his people. I hope this preaches one in a local church setting.

By: Bob McCabe

Bob McCabe — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:36:28 +0000

The series of posts that I am doing on Psalms is an outgrowth of a class that I teach, “Understanding the Psalms.” Since I regularly update my class notes, this series of posts is also intended as a revision for some of the content in my syllabus. My goal is to teach this class in summer school of 2008, the Lord willing, of course.

By: Dr. Bob McCabe Is Blogging « My Two Cents

Dr. Bob McCabe Is Blogging « My Two Cents — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:57:58 +0000

[...] to stop by often. Get your feet wet by reading through his 2-part series on Psalm 1 (part 1 and part 2). Posted in Fundamentalism, Web Gems, What I’m Reading. Tags: Bob McCabe, DBTS, My [...]

By: Chris Anderson

Chris Anderson — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:09:21 +0000

Thanks for this. Psalm 1 has become a great blessing to me. For the longest time—frankly, due in part to some messages I’d heard on the Psalm—I assumed that Psalm 1 began and ended with verse 1: “Separation from the world.” (Okay, I knew that there were more verses to the Psalm, but separation was the important thing.) Yet, the rest of the Psalm explains that the godly man isn’t noted only for his avoidance of the wicked, but for his great delight in the Law of the Lord. In other words, he’s not missing a thing! The godly life is joyful and rich, whereas the life of the wicked is dry and unfulfilling for a time and damning for eternity.

What an important message for us to understand and preach! True joy is found in pleasing God and delighting in His word, not in the world (contrary to the way things often appear). Pleasing God isn’t merely a matter of duty—”do it because it’s right, though miserable.” Rather, pleasing God is a source of great delight—”do it because it brings the blessing of God, and a life that is lush rather than empty.”

How different that is from a concept of sanctification that is merely focused on duty! These are life-changing thoughts to consider! Indeed, I think Psalm 1 should be perpetually kept before young people, in particular.

(Sorry to ramble. You touched a nerve.)