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Day 152 – Thru the Bible
Today we continue Psalms and look back a Psalm 1 & 2. Here’s the video for Psalms, again.
Video – Read Scripture: Psalms
Psalm 1 – This Psalm could be seen as introducing key concerns of the whole Bible, since it describes the two fundamental classes of mankind—sinners and righteous. It also addresses concepts ultimately revealed in the perfectly blessed man, Jesus Christ, who stands at the crossroads of two ways (Matthew 7:13). He is anticipated in the first word of this Psalm because “blessing” in Scripture references the redemptive presence of God. That presence was perfectly realized when Mary was called “blessed . . . among women,” because Jesus, “God with us,” had finally been conceived in her (Luke 1:42).
The “righteous” man is blessed when he consciously lives in the presence of the Word, which we, on this side of the cross, know would become flesh and would cause His “law” to be written on our hearts for our instruction (John 20:31; 1 Corinthians 10:11). Thus the Believer’s life is blessed by the presence and care of Jesus, bearing eternally significant fruit by being grafted into the “tree of life” (Revelation 2:7; 22:2).
On the other hand, those who follow the broad way that “leads to destruction” become hollow persons whose lives count for nothing beyond the grave. But even in the Old Testament context of this Psalm, what separates the righteous from the wicked is not good works but the grace of the Lord, who “knows” the righteous (Matthew 7:23).
How does this Psalm make you thankful for God’s grace extended to you, as a Believer?
Psalm 2 – This Psalm ushers the worshiper into God’s throne room. It reminds us that David’s emergence as a king from Judah was a midcourse confirmation between God’s promise to Abraham and his descendant bringing the final kingdom to earth (Genesis 49:10; Matthew 3:2). The first hint that the Psalm refers to David’s Greater Son is in the title “Anointed,” which is Messiah in Hebrew and Christ in Greek (Acts 10:38).
Another clue is the prophecy of worldwide rule that demands a King with infinitely greater powers than David, but which also accords with God’s promise to David of an eternal and worldwide kingdom established by his descendant. The apostles preached the gospel from this Psalm. The author of Hebrews explained that Jesus was this “Son” whom God sent into the world—the only Son who could truly fulfill the promises to David (Hebrews 1:5).
Peter preached that Jesus’ cross was the epitome of the nations’ rage Acts 4:25–27). Paul revealed that Jesus’ coronation occurred after His resurrection (Acts 13:33; Romans 1:4) and that He blesses the nations as they obey Him by faith (Romans 1:5). John showed that salvation or eternal separation from God depends on one’s relationship to the Son (John 3:36). And Ephesians calls Believers to live courageously in the face of worldwide spiritual rebellion because Jesus is actively ruling over all of reality (Ephesians 1:20–22). In these various ways the New Testament reveals that ultimately Jesus Himself is the King who fulfills Psalm 2.
How does seeing Jesus so clearly in this Old Testament Psalm encourage your belief?
Psalm 147 – There are innumerable reasons why it is both right and good to praise the Lord. This Psalm alternates between two broad categories of the praise of God. On the one hand, the God of Israel is the one true God who has made and who rules the heavens and the earth. To pick out one sample statement, “He [Yahweh] determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names.” The vastness and scope of the galaxies and starry hosts of the universe are the result of God’s planning, design, and determined will, and His naming all the stars (there are 100 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy alone!) indicates His rightful jurisdiction over them all.
On the other hand, this same God, the Creator and providential Ruler of all, is also the God of His own people, Israel. Again, to pick out one poignant statement: “He has not dealt thus [good and gracious, providing and protecting] with any other nation; they do not know His rules.” Indeed, how kind God was to give this people, the people of His choosing, His word, His law, His rules that are a reflection of His character and care, in that God’s commands outline a safe and good path for God’s people.
These, then, are some of the reasons why God is to be praised and why His people are thrilled, awe-struck, and amazed, that they are His people and He is their God. What a God this is! What a privilege to be the people of God, ultimately the very body of Jesus! The one true and living God, the Creator and Ruler of all, is our God!
How does seeing the glory of God in this Psalm lead you to worship?
What other thoughts or questions does today’s reading bring up?
Some of these notes are from the ESV Gospel Transformation Bible study notes. We highly recommend this study Bible.
Videos produced by www.TheGospelProject.com.
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