Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for June 4, 2017

“The Blessed Man” Psalm 1 Bible Study 06/04/17

This morning we begin a thirteen week survey of the Psalms. The “worship manual” and “hymnbook of the Hebrews” has been a source of comfort, correction, conviction and challenge for believers of every generation.

I. Overview

-Psalmoi (LXX): poem to be sung to stringed instrument
-Historical Significance
-Dating: latest 2500 years ago/ earliest 3500 years ago
-informing the intellect, arousing the emotions, directing the will, stimulating the imagination
-Interpretive Challenges: chronological, cultural and theological
-Pervasive principle of repetition
-Connection to Christ: Luke 24:44
-Three Assertions: reality, reign and response

II. Designated “Books”

-1-41
-42-72
-73-89
-90-106
-107-150

III. Genre Classification

-Hymns
-Lament
-Thanksgiving Psalms
-Psalms of Confidence
-Psalms of Remembrance
-Wisdom Psalms
-Kingship Psalms

IV. Psalm 1: The Blessed Man

-Because your eternal destiny is at stake, nothing matters more than a right relationship with God.

1. Consider the direction of the righteous man (1-2)
-negative assessment and use of parallelism
-positive assessment-delight in “torah”

2. Consider the description of the righteous man (3-4)
-planted tree
-fruit in season
-does not wither
-contrasted with the wicked: “Not so the wicked.”

3. Consider the destiny of the righteous man (5-6)
-contrasted with the wicked
-“for the LORD knows…”
-contrast: “blessed” and “perish”

V. So What?

-Affirm the enormous value of biblical meditation.
-Recognize the absolute necessity for scriptural saturation.
-Appreciate the profound connection between the Psalms and Christ.
-Consider Psalm 119:9-16 this week.