Psalmody - Insight into Psalm Chapter One

Foundation: The word Psalm means “Praise Song."

Did you know that Psalm 117 is the middle chapter of the Bible and Psalm 119 is the longest chapter?

There are 150 Psalms.  While God is the author of the Bible, He used men to write the words on the page.

David wrote 73; Asaph – 12; the sons of Korah – 10; Moses - 1; Herman the Ezra Hite – 1. Ethan; the Ezra Hite – 1; Solomon – 1 or 2.  The rest are anonymous but may have been written by Jehosaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah. It’s thought that Ezra was responsible for the final arrangement of the collection that we now read in the Bible.

Reading: Psalm one – author unknown

Chapter One contrasts the lifestyle choices (beliefs and behaviors) of two groups: the godly and the ungodly. It also describes the consequences for each, as manifested in their earthly and eternal lives.

Godly – vs 1-3

Listens to and acts on godly counsel.

Do not hang around with unbelievers.

Desires to know more about God, study and apply God’s Word to their lives.

They will be blessed, and everything they do will prosper.

It will be like a tree planted by the water, bringing fruit in season; the leaf will not wither.

Ungodly – vs 4-6

Disobedient, live without God.

Live outside of God’s will.

Like worthless chaff blown about by the wind.

Will stand unjustified in the judgment.

Will perish.

The character of God Revealed: 

God is omniscient - all-knowing.  

God is just.  He sets the standards and judges according to those standards.

Just a thought

Many choices are offered in this life, and many people try to persuade me to make them, but no matter what they say or do, I am still accountable for my choices. If my behavior is incongruent with my beliefs, morals, and standards, chaos reigns in my life. There IS a final judgment for unbelievers, and there IS an eternal death to be avoided.   

Write your own Psalm 

It might be a prayer for a current need, a record of current events, or a way of remembering past situations.

Search for and find your reason to praise God, from whom all blessings flow.