Psalm 1-5

Okay... this is take #2. I started to write, got partway done, had to stop for family (you know, everyone wants to eat breakfast, baby likes a dry diaper and cuddling, oldest needs pointed in the right direction with schoolwork, gotta prep hubby's lunch and our dinner, yada yada - life...) Of course, while I was distracted, the puter decides to auto-update and then reboot. (yeah, I know I set it to do that at some point, but does it HAVE to do it when I've got a half-done blog sitting around??)

Okay - down to business. We are still doing catch up, so if it seems that reading Ps. 1-5 is a lot at one time, it kind of is - it was supposed to be done in 2 parts. But, we did it last night as part of our family bible reading. :) This is in no way an exhaustive exegetical study on the first 5 psalms. More of a very general overview - very general. So be good bereans!! Study, study, study!

Psalms are traditionally associated with David. Jewish tradition holds David as a singer/songwriter and attributes a significant portion of the Psalms to his authorship. Not all were written by David, but many were.

Psalm 1 is referred to as a gateway Psalm. It's the door to let you in by. You will see that it points out that to properly approach the throne of God, we need the right heart and attitude. We cannot come as blatant, hateful, scornful sinners. To have a conversation or relationship with God, we must come to worship God as a holy God; and we need to come with the right, worshipful, reverant attitude toward God and the Law of God.

Ps. 1:1-2 - Blessed is the man ho walks not in the counsel fo 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.

There is a blessing given to those who seek and delight in the Lord! In the latter part of vs. 6, we also see that "the way of the wicked will perish."

Psalm 2, according to my bible commentary, holds kingship as the theme. The messianic promise is not hard to see in this psalm. It reminds us that while kings of this earth may plan and plot, God is the ultimate King in ultimate control. He will set his son as THE king, and all will be in subjection to Him.

Ps. 2:10-12 - "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 peris in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessd are all who take refuge in him."

There is a great warning to the earthly kings that scoff at God, and they are told that God's wrath will be quick to ignite, and admonished to "Kiss the Son" - which is to give a sign of submission to his authority. After all, it is only by God's authority that any man rules any kingdom! And again, a blessing is given to those who "take refuge" in the Son.

Psalm 3 is proclaimed a "Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son." He is surrounded by foes, in a great time of distress; and while he cries out to God, we see that he has a great trust in God.

Ps. 3:4-5 - I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. I lay down and slep; I woke again, for the lord sustained me.

He is pursued by enemies, yet manages to sleep! How great a trust one must have in God to have a sound sleep amidst persecution and death pursuits!

Psalm 4 is another Psalm of David - and also written in a time of distress. According to my commentary, the first part of the first line: Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!... is a bold statement made because the psalmist has great faith in God's knowing that God is his righteousness. "The righteous are not without sin, but are in a covenant relationship with God." (from the commentary)

The psalmist laments the apparent turning of men toward false idols and gods. In fact, the "seek" after them. He does remind, however, "but know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him." God keeps for himself a godly people that will call up on his name!

Finally, Psalm 5 is another psalm attributed to David. We may begin to see a pattern here. This is another distress call to God. All those times we feel like we are surrounded by wickedness - all we see or hear are evil things - this is a distress call about that very experience. The psalmist cries out to God about the wickedness around him, proclaiming back to God: "For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildors. You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and decitful man."

This is as much a reminder to the psalmist as it is a call upon God. In these things, the fact that God abhors evil and will destroy it, the psalmist takes comfort. The wickedness may press in around us, but God will not tolerate it, and will destroy the evil.

Vs. 11 & 12 is like taking a refreshing, deep breath: "But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield." As always, there is a blessing and promise given to God's covenant people. :)