Progression of wicked vs. righteous

rivers of water by the KJV, literally means divisions of waters, and most likely refers to the favorite mode of irrigation in some ancient Middle-East countries. Canals were dug in every direction, and through these the water was carried to all the vegetation

The New Manners and Customs of the Bible 1:3 Irrigation of Gardens

Solomon says in Proverbs 21:1—“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” The figure of speech used here is an allusion to the eastern method of irrigation in which several canals were dug from one stream, enabling the farmer to direct a stream as he pleased by a simple action

Context

resource: Tremper Longman III

goes along with as a two part introduction to the psalter. The focus is Torah obedience, and differentiates those who delight in the law and those who are wicked. The reader identifies with one or the other. stands as a Levitical gatekeeper warning the wicked to proceed no further.

Psalm 1 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Exposition

Psalm 2 ESV

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Verse 1

Blessed is the man…

This term can be translated as happy is the man, favored as the man.

Charles Spurgeon Sermon

Spurgeon preached a sermon titled “The truly blessed man in 1864. Spurgeon said, “The most blessed man is still a man. He must suffer pain, or pine sickness, endure losses and crosses, and yet in it all be a blessed man.” This man is subject to the common sorrows of humanity. He is subject to infirmities. endures the same temptations that we have. And he does not hold any eminent position. Spurgeon carefully details that this blessed man was an ordinary man. He said, “His position has nothing to do with it. His character has everything to do with it.”

Spurgeon, C. H. The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons. Vol. 57. London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1911.

Walk in step with wicked

Psalm 1 ESV

Walk in step with wicked

To walk with someone is to be associated with them. We get our counsel or advise from the wicked. This leads us to begin thinking like the wicked.

2. Stand in the presence of the sinner

When we go to far in the advise with the wick its stops us in our tracks. We have stopped walking with God to stand with the enemy. The advise from the ungodly has transpired into committing the sins of the ungodly.

3. Sit with the scoffer

The progression here is going beyond sinning to being a scoffer. A scoffer is someone who is hardened and set in their ways. This is someone who will no longer take advise from the righteous.

Excerpt from St. Augustin on the Psalms

Augustin has an interesting interpretation of verse one in this psalm. His interpretation is classified as allegorical. He views the psalm as speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ as being this man. Augustine views Jesus as not gone away with the counsel of the ungodly as the man of the earth did. He refers back to the sin of Adam and Eve in the garden. Second he mentions Jesus came in the way of sinners referring to being born of a woman. However he was born of a virgin and of the Holy Ghost. Therefore he did not stand as they did. Jesus was Holy and sinless and knew no sin. Thirdly, Jesus as well did not sit in a seat of pestilence because he desired no earthly kingdom with pride. Jesus came in humility and His kingdom was with God and not of this world.

Schaff, P. (Ed.). (1888). Saint Augustin: Expositions on the Book of Psalms (Vol. 8). New York: Christian Literature Company.

Verse 2-3

Walk in step with God

The righteous man finds his purpose in the law of God. He delights to receive counsel from the Word of God rather than the ungodly. His delight is in instruction, teaching, and instruction of righteousness.

2. Stand in the presence of God

Not only does he delight in the counsel but meditates day and night. This is a constant and continuous observance of devotion to the Lord.

3. Sit in contentment with God

The Psalter uses an analogy of a tree planted by streams of flowing water. This is a stable commitment to a relationship with God. Our relationship is firms in the Lord. We are well nourished in the presence and spirit of God.

excerpt to verse 3

The tree brings forth his fruit in its season. Its a unique fruit at a specific time. The life of the righteous will not always be a fruitful life. Trees can be unfruitful but yet still alive and still nourished.

whatever he does shall prosper...

This word mean to force entry, to cut through. To prosper or succeed does not come easy. The sense of this word is “to cause to succeed.” We will not prosper on our own and in our own abilities but only through the grace of God. The Lord promotes us into the Kingdom of God. He causes us to be fruitful when were planted faithfully in Him.

What does this word prosper mean? Will everything in the life of a Christian prosper?

American dream?

Marital status?

College/Good career?

Through the lens of scripture the righteous will prosper in the will of God. Remember the sermon on the mount (blessed is the man who…) The one who does not take counsel from the world will understand that success in this life is not living the American dream. Its not material prosperity, rather it is a stable relationship with the Lord.

(reference )

he was inspired by this text and included it into his writings.

Verse 4-6

Driven away with the wind

When you have been walking in the counsel of the world (by every wind of doctrine Pauls letter) you will find yourself driven away by the wind.

2. Will not stand in judgment

The wicked will not be able to withstand the judgment of God.

3. No place to sit

When you allow the counsel of the wicked to lead you to living among the ungodly then there will be no place to sit in the congregation of the righteous.

Related Media

Related Sermons