Reflecting on the Psalms

Psalms 1

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

The book of Psalms is particularly dear to me. It preaches to the broken in spirit. People who have been wounded by their circumstances in life. This describes me perfectly. The verse above is one of my favorites. It very simply and plainly lays out the way a Christian should live. Upon saving people with the Gospel and bringing them to the Lord this verse should be read right afterwards. To ensure that the newly saved live Godly blessed lives and not in sin against the Lord. Living in sin can bring forth the judgement. There is nothing a person can do to escape Gods judgement once it comes down on them. The psalmist so clearly illustrate that. It is a petition to the saints of God to walk in the spirit and not the flesh, to live righteous virtuous lives. It is also a comforter to the poor in spirit, letting them know that God has not abandoned them.

One of the primary writers of the Psalms is David. The one mighty in faith who slayed Goliath, The chosen one of God to bring forth the Messiah, The one beloved by Israel and favored by the king. What a blessed life, nearly invincible. With God behind him he could do anything. Yes, this is very true as long as he did things according to Gods will, and not by his own will. David's blessed life came crashing down once he began to sin against God, and boy did he do some doozy's. He committed some of the worst sins possible, as if they are not all bad. I have certainly committed my fair share. It shows that even great men of God can be cast down if they get to puffed up. I so felt for David in 1 Samuel when he was being pursued by Saul, and by Absalom in 2 Samuel. I know what is like to have God send our enemies after us. Psalms is the great men of God sharing their wisdom with the world after under going severe chastening and affliction. They bare there wounds for the world to see and mourn over the mistakes they made. Lamentations could also be in this vain as well. These are men who loved God very much, but let themselves get carried away by this life and all it's temptations. This also expresses Gods love for these men. He never wanted to hurt them he was only correcting them and bringing them back into fellowship.

It also talks about how God will deal with the wicked unsaved world. They may flourish here, but it is only for a moment. Gods wrath against these people will be fierce and without mercy. This book may lead some people to think that God is unloving. This could not be further from the truth.

Psalms 119

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture. It so clearly illustrates the purpose behind Gods chastening. A return to fellowship and a deeper relationship with God. All of the Psalmist have a deep relationship with God. They also have a mournful quality, I do not think it is from their afflictions, it is from what they did to a God who loved them. God never turned from these men. Many passages end by coming back to Gods love.

I am no Bible scholar, anything but. This is just my thoughts on the Psalms. They have been a comforter to me over the years. You can probably tell a lot about the life of a believer by their relationship to Psalms. Some really don't read it much or relate to it. Others read it often and relate to it very much. Most of these people have strayed from the Lord. I believe that we can all glean wisdom and comforting from the Psalms, after all we all make mistakes and sin against God. I hope I did this book justice. Again, just my thoughts on the Psalms. I will no doubt be writing more on this subject in the future, as I plan on doing an in depth bible study on the Psalms soon. I hope you enjoyed this post and I will leave you with the Gospel.

I Corinthians 15

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: