Psalms 1 - 6 (with 4 topics)
Psalm 1 Beginning of Book 1 of the Psalms (Psalm 1-41); author anonymous-- all the Psalms were authored by David unless noted otherwise. Said to: deal with decisions & persecution; to provide guidance & wisdom:
- Blessed is the man who does not
- walk in the counsel of the wicked or
- stand in the way of sinners or
- sit in the seat of mockers.
- But
- his delight is in the Law of the LORD, &
- on HIS Law He meditates day & night.
- He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
- which yields its fruit in season &
- whose leaf does not whither.
- Whatever He does prospers-- it both blesses others & himself.
- Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly (peaceful gathering) of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
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Why do the nations conspire (rage) & the people plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand & the rulers gather together against the LORD & against HIS Anointed One (David, a shadow of things to come-- or Jesus, per Acts 2:2c). 'Let us break Their chains,' they say, '& throw off Their fetters.' The ONE enthroned in Heaven laughs; the LORD scoffs at them.
Then HE rebukes them in HIS Anger & terrifies them in HIS Wrath, saying, I have installed MY King (anointed David) on Zion, MY Holy Hill. This hill was the Jebusite fortress that became known as Zion, & was expanded into the City of David, Jerusalem; it was the original location of the ark of the covenant (in a tent-- see 2ndSa 5:6-9; 6:12-17); scattered throughout the O.T. are refs. to the holy hill/mountain-- see Psalms 7 - 11 Psalm 9.
I David will proclaim the Decree of the LORD-- what was said by GOD the FATHER to Jesus the SON before time began (before the creation of the world, Jesus yet "up-there"): HE said to ME, YOU are MY SON; today I have become YOUR FATHER (begotten YOU).
Distant & Far Distant prophecies Ask of ME, & I will make the nations YOUR distant inheritance, the ends of the earth YOUR far distant Possession-- we find in Psa 22:29 that All the rich of the earth will feast & worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before HIM. (1) YOU will rule them with an iron scepter (break them with a rod of iron); (2) YOU will dash them to pieces like pottery-- notice this (1) part only is used by an angel in Reve 12:5 (there the angel is speaking about Jesus); but the (1) & (2) parts together is a verbatim quote by Jesus (there Jesus is speaking about overcomers in Thyatira-- see below, 1. Messages to the churches 4th pt.). EOP
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear & rejoice with trembling. Kiss the up-there SON, lest HE be angry-- even in O.T. times people were to be aware of the Trinity, & you be destroyed in your way, for HIS Wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in HIM.
1. Messages to the churches To all 7 locations, ref. overcomers In the above Psalm 2 (1st quote in grape) we saw that the person referred to as the Anointed One transitioned from David to Jesus in Acts; below we see, texted in grape in the 4th pt., another transition-- from Jesus wielding the iron scepter to the overcomer ruling with it: To the angel (messenger) of the church at:- Ephesus- To Him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of GOD (Reve 2:1,7);
- Smyrna- He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the 2nd death (Reve 2:8,11);
- Pergamum- To Him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give Him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to Him that receives it (Reve 2:12,17);
- Thyatira- To Him that overcomes & does MY Will to the end, I will give authority over the nations-- with ME He will rule them with an iron scepter; He will dash them to pieces like pottery --just as I have received authority from MY FATHER. I will also give Him the morning star (Reve 2:18,26-29);
- Sardis- He who overcomes will, like Them (a few people in Sardis who have not ever soiled Their clothes-- see v. 4), be dressed in white. I will never blot out His name from the book of life, but will acknowledge His name before MY FATHER (Reve 3:1,5);
- Philadephia- Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the Temple of MY GOD. Never again will He leave it. I will write on Him the Name of MY GOD & the name of the City of MY GOD, the New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of Heaven from MY GOD, & I will also write on Him MY New Name (Reve 3:7,12);
- Laodicea- To Him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with ME on MY Throne, just as I overcame & sat down with MY FATHER on HIS Throne (Reve 3:14,21).
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O LORD, how many are My foes! How many rise up against Me! Many are saying of Me, GOD will not deliver Him. Selah
But YOU are a Shield around Me-- personally in his life, but not in his heart, as after Jesus' ascension via the Holy Spirit (see John 17:4), O LORD; YOU bestow glory on Me & lift up My head. To the LORD I cry aloud, & HE answers Me from HIS Holy Hill. Selah
I lie down & sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains Me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against Me on every side. Arise, O LORD! Deliver Me, O My GOD! Strike all My enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the LORD comes deliverance. May YOUR Blessings be on all YOUR People. Selah
It has been pointed out how that David went from crying out to the Lord, to expressing confidence, to crying out, to expressing confidence-- sometimes in adjacent sentences. Yes, this illustrates that it is acceptable for us to be emotional during prayer/worship. But also, all who lead in worship know that we should be aware of the audience (we inspire by example, but we also should respond to feedback-- in order to better lead). That should that not be a conflict; also, hopefully it will not happen that the audience will evaluate the performer-- rather than being inspired to worship in spirit & in truth. Finally, it is imperative that the performers remain focused on the Lord-- if so be the audience is not inspired to worship, we should not be discouraged. Else Satan has a victory in our midst!
1. Ref. Abram/Abraham Abram/Abraham received 4 promises from God. The 4 promises to him were:- Some 10 yrs. before the vision of promise #3 (see <3> close below), as he left Haran (where he had gone from Ur of the Chaldees) to go to Canaan with his 1st wife (half-sister Sarai): <1> When Abram was 75 yrs. old-- I will make You into a great nation;
- Now in Canaan: <2> After Lot had departed from Him: Lift up Your eyes & look north & south, east & west. All the land that You see I will give to You & Your offspring forever;
- Soon the vision: <3> A man coming from Your own body will be Your heir; Count the stars... Now the vision: As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep. When the sun had set & darkness had fallen; On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, from the Wadi River of Egypt to the Great River, the Euphrates-- the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites & Jebusites. Then Abram & Sarai being yet childless (Abram being age 85): after Abram had been living in Canaan 10 yrs., Sarai gave Hager Her maidservant to Abram to be His 2nd wife (Hager bore Ishmael when Abram was age 86);
- <4> When Abram was 99 yrs. old (Sarai was 89; Abram's name soon was changed to Abraham-- & Sarai's to Sarah); I will confirm MY Covenant between ME & You. Abram fell face down. This is MY Covenant: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will You be called Abram (Exalted Father); Your name will be Abraham (Father of Many); I have already made You a father of many nations. I will establish MY Covenant between ME & You & Your descendants for generations to come. The whole land of Canaan I will give as an everlasting possession to You & Your descendants after You. The fulfillment of the promises already "in mind" hinged upon the maintenance of the covenant through the generations-- in like manner Jesus was slain before the foundation of the world, & HE is not willing that any should perish, but each must receive salvation by faith! Now there were other promises made:
- Ref. Abram's 1st wife: As For Sarai Your wife, Her name will be Sarah (Princess); I will give You a son by Her; She will be the mother of nations;
- Ref. Isaac, the child of Abraham & 1st wife Sarah: Isaac (He laughs)-- I will establish MY Covenant with Him for an everlasting covenant for His descendants;
- Ref. Ishmael, the child of Abram & 2nd wife Hager: Ishmael (God shall hear)-- He will be the father of 12 rulers, & I will make Him into a great nation. But MY Covenant I will establish with Isaac.
- BTW, Abraham had a 3rd wife, Ketura [see Psalms 69 - 72 Psalm 72 1. Origins... (c1900B.C.)]
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Psalm 4 A psalm for the director of music (chief musician); neginoth (on strings/stringed instruments). Said to: address being afraid & tense; provide answers, peace & protection. Texted in grape is the passage (v. 4a) that is quoted in the N.T. (see Psalms 12 - 18 Psalm 15 2. N.T. Quotes from Psalms A.):
Answer Me when I call to YOU, O My Righteous GOD. Give Me relief from My distress; be merciful to Me & hear My prayer. How long, O men, will you turn My glory into shame (dishonor My Glorious ONE)? How long will you love delusions & seek false gods (pursue lies)? Selah
Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to HIM. In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your heart & be silent. Selah
Offer right sacrifices & trust in the LORD. Many are asking, 'Who can show Us any good?' Let the light of YOUR Face shine upon Us, O LORD. YOU have filled My heart with greater joy than when their grain & new wine abound. I will lie down & sleep in peace, for YOU alone, O LORD, make Me dwell in safety.
1. Commentary #1 The degree & speed of maturity A bona fide Christian's initial solid connection (the bridge via Jesus) to God neither guarantees the depth nor the rapidity of maturity. Contrariwise, retarded maturity compromises the relationship-- ever hear of "self-fulfilled prophecy?" Maturity (& the subsequent caliber of the connection) can be characterized thusly:- None-to-limited maturity is the result of ship-wrecked faith; if there is any maturity at all, it is both shallow & develops slowly. This Christian determines his/her own lot as he/she both remains un-churched & also associates with sinners; the believer both eventually gives in to temptation & develops a negative attitude towards fellowship with other believers. The fate of the connection? God puts such a Christian virtually permanently "on-the-shelf"; He is useless as to God's will, as sinners see no benefits here-n-now to becoming part of the bride-of-Christ (the abundant life Jesus spoke of, available both now & eternally);
- Somewhat better is when a believer joins a church (perhaps becoming deeply involved with it), but seeks only fellowship within the body-- with other brothers/sisters. His/her absolute joy is a harmonious church-- but as we shall see (in the commentary at the bottom of Job on this page), he/she is both impacted seriously by a divided church, & also sooner-or-later contributes to the friction, while also developing an attitude toward sinners. The connection? God also puts this Christian "on the shelf," but possibly only temporarily-- his/her eyes/heart might become opened if he/she sees other brothers/sisters doing right (performing God's will);
- Best-of-all is when a believer both joins/contributes to a church & also associates (reaches out to) sinners-- the maturity is both deep & develops fast; the connection via the Holy Spirit abides solid.
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Psalm 5 A psalm for the director of music; nehiloth (on flutes/wind instruments). Said to: address being insecure; deal with lies; provide guidance, fellowship with God & prayer. Texted in grape is the passage (v. 9b) that is quoted in the N.T.-- see Psalms 12 - 18 Psalm 15 2. N.T. Quotes From Psalms A.
Give ear to My words, O LORD, consider My sighing. Listen to My cry for help, My KING & My GOD, for to YOU I pray. In the morning, O LORD, YOU hear My voice; in the morning I lay My requests before YOU & wait in expectation.
YOU are not a god who takes pleasure in evil; with YOU the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot even stand in YOUR Presence; YOU hate all who do wrong. YOU destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty & deceitful men the LORD abhors. But I, by YOUR Great Mercy, will come down into YOUR House; in reverence will I bow down toward YOUR Holy Temple. Lead Me, O LORD, in YOUR Righteousness because of My enemies-- make straight YOUR Way before Me.
Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit. Declare them guilty, O GOD! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against YOU.
But let all who take refuge in YOU be glad; let Them ever sing for joy. Spread YOUR Protection over Them, that Those who love YOUR Name may rejoice in YOU. For surely, O LORD, YOU bless the righteous; YOU surround Them with YOUR Favor as with a shield.
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Psalm 6 A psalm for the director of music; neginoth sheminith (on stringed instruments, an octave lower). Said to: address being tired/weak/depleted; deal with punishment, slaughter, illness & death; provide healing. See PART II H.3.3rd pt. & PerspectivesB B.1.b.Psa 6; note how David 1st prays, then speaks to his problems:
O LORD, do not rebuke Me in YOUR Anger or discipline Me in YOUR Wrath. Be merciful to Me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal Me, for My bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, & deliver Me; save Me because of YOUR Unfailing Love. No one remembers YOU when he is dead. Who praises YOU from the grave?I am worn out from groaning; all (every) night I flood My bed with tears. My eyes grow weak from sorrow; They fail because of all My foes. Away from Me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard My weeping. The LORD has heard My cry for mercy; the LORD accepts My prayer. All My enemies will be astonished & dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.
1. Receive-n-listen, Believe, Mature Dealing with the soil I.e., dealing with the heart. In Roma 3:9,19-21 we see that there is no difference between Jews & Gentiles when it comes to the ability to attain onto righteousness. Jews & Gentiles alike are under sin; Roma 3:23 goes on to say, all have sinned & fall short of the Glory of GOD. You say, how so I have sinned? Simple-- you were born as human, short of the Glory of GOD, with not-a snowball's-chance of arriving to God's level of righteousness. It's like you cannot climb 1 inch up Mt. Everest. So, again, Jews & Gentiles alike are under sin. However, there is a fundamental difference among humans; there are 4 types of hearts. Whichever type of heart you have-- to some degree you were born with it; to some extent you acquired it due to your family/peer/personal situations/experiences; but soon it is the result of your own choices. In Matthew 13:1-9; Mark 4:1-9; & (entered below) Luke 8:4-8 we find Jesus telling the parable to a crowd. In Matt 13:10-13; Mark 4:10-25; & (entered below) Luke 8:9-18 we have Jesus explaining the parable to His disciples. This explaining was unusual, as often He simply told the parables-- we shall see that the basic reason was to emphasize that this was hardly just about the pre-condition of the heart, but was also about listening & responding, both initially & in the long-term; about the-connecting-of-the-dots followed by perseverence (see the 3 underlined portions below). The Luke accounts: While a large crowd was gathering & people were coming to Jesus from town after town. He told this parable: A farmer went out to sow his seed. Type 1: As he scattered his seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, & the birds of the air ate it up-- some were crushed, some vanished (though all were received, none were contemplated, let alone believed). Type 2: Some fell on rock, & when it germinated & came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture-- the roots could not penetrate the hard hearts for nourishment. Type 3: Other seed fell among competitive seedling thorns, which grew up with it & choked the plants. Type 4: Still others fell on good soil. It came up & yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown. When He said this, He called out, He who has ears to hear, let Him hear. His disciples asked Him what this parable meant. He said as to why He spoke in parables, so that, quoting Isa 6:9, though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand. This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the spoken Word of GOD. Those along the path are the ones who hear, & then the devil comes & takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not even believe & be saved. Those on the rock with hard hearts are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for awhile, & thus are saved, but in the time of testing they fall away-- they may receive & believe, but they don't subsequently even root. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear & do root, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches & pleasures, & they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble & good heart, who hear the word, retain & apply it, & by persevering mature & produce a crop. Now He establishes that no matter the precondition of the heart, 1 is not doomed-- they are not pre-determined to not have a snowball's chance. That is where love, intercession, etc. on our part come in-- we must not give up on them!: No 1 lights a lamp & hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, & nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how You listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what He thinks He has will be taken away from Him.
