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Psalm 1 - Treasury of Scripture Knowledge vs Calvin John vs Coke Thomas vs Concise Bible

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Psalm 1

Psalm 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.

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, …

Psalm 1:4-6 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away…

A.M.

Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way, when …

Psalm 32:1,2 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered…

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him.

Psalm 84:12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusts in you.

Psalm 106:3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that does righteousness …

Psalm 112:1 Praise you the LORD. Blessed is the man that fears the LORD, that …

Psalm 115:12-15 The LORD has been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless …

Psalm 119:1,2 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD…

Psalm 144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yes, happy is that …

Psalm 146:5 Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is …

Deuteronomy 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on you, and overtake you, if you …

Deuteronomy 33:29 Happy are you, O Israel: who is like to you, O people saved by the …

Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: …

Luke 11:28 But he said, Yes rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, …

John 13:17 If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.

John 20:29 Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed: …

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right …

walketh

Psalm 81:12 So I gave them up to their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their …

Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Leviticus 26:27,28 And if you will not for all this listen to me, but walk contrary to me…

1 Kings 16:31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk …

Job 31:5 If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot has hurried to deceit;

Proverbs 1:15 My son, walk not you in the way with them; refrain your foot from their path:

Proverbs 4:14,15 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men…

Proverbs 13:20 He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools …

Ezekiel 20:18 But I said to their children in the wilderness, Walk you not in the …

1 Peter 4:3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have worked the will …

counsel

Psalm 64:2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection …

Genesis 49:6 O my soul, come not you into their secret; to their assembly, my …

2 Chronicles 22:3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was …

Job 10:3 Is it good to you that you should oppress, that you should despise …

Job 21:16 See, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

Luke 23:51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he …

ungodly. or, wicked
standeth

Psalm 26:12 My foot stands in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, …

Ephesians 6:13 Why take to you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand …

way

Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly …

Psalm 36:4 He devises mischief on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is …

Psalm 146:9 The LORD preserves the strangers; he relieves the fatherless and …

Proverbs 2:12 To deliver you from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaks …

Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding gives favor: but the way of transgressors is hard.

Matthew 7:13,14 Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad …

sitteth

Psalm 26:4,5 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers…

Psalm 119:115 Depart from me, you evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Jeremiah 15:17 I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone …

scornful

Proverbs 1:22 How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? and the scorners …

Proverbs 3:34 Surely he scorns the scorners: but he gives grace to the lowly.

Proverbs 9:12 If you be wise, you shall be wise for yourself: but if you scorn, …

Proverbs 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

Psalm 1:2

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm

Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he …

But his

Psalm 40:8 I delight to do your will, O my God: yes, your law is within my heart.

Psalm 112:1 Praise you the LORD. Blessed is the man that fears the LORD, that …

Psalm 119:11,35,47,48,72,92 Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you…

Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have …

Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I did eat them; and your word was to me …

Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his …

meditate

Psalm 104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

Psalm 119:11,15,97-99 Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you…

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you …

1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate on these things; give yourself wholly to them; that your …

day

Psalm 88:1 O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you:

Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed …

Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night to …

1 Thessalonians 2:9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail: for laboring night …

2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience…

Psalm 1:3

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

tree

Job 14:9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

Isaiah 44:4 And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.

Jeremiah 17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads …

Ezekiel 17:8 It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring …

Ezekiel 19:10 Your mother is like a vine in your blood, planted by the waters: …

Ezekiel 47:12 And by the river on the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, …

Revelation 22:2 In the middle of the street of it, and on either side of the river, …

bringeth

Psalm 92:14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat …

Matthew 21:34,41 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to …

shall not

Isaiah 27:11 When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the …

Matthew 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had …

Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing …

John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; …

Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, …

wither. Heb. Fade
whatsoever

Psalm 128:2 For you shall eat the labor of your hands: happy shall you be, and …

Psalm 129:8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be on you: …

Genesis 39:3,23 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD …

Joshua 1:7,8 Only be you strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do …

1 Chronicles 22:11 Now, my son, the LORD be with you; and prosper you, and build the …

2 Chronicles 31:21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, …

2 Chronicles 32:23 And many brought gifts to the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to …

Isaiah 3:10 Say you to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they …

Psalm 1:4

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

like

Psalm 35:5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.

Job 21:18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carries away.

Isaiah 17:13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall …

Isaiah 29:5 Moreover the multitude of your strangers shall be like small dust…

Hosea 13:3 Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud and as the early dew …

Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, …

Psalm 1:5

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

shall

Psalm 5:5 The foolish shall not stand in your sight: you hate all workers of iniquity.

Psalm 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in …

Luke 21:36 Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy …

Jude 1:15 To execute judgment on all, and to convince all that are ungodly …

sinners

Psalm 26:9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:

Malachi 3:18 Then shall you return, and discern between the righteous and the …

Matthew 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, …

Matthew 25:32,41,46 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate …

Psalm 1:6

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

knoweth

Psalm 37:18-24 The LORD knows the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall …

Psalm 139:1,2 O lord, you have searched me, and known me…

Psalm 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then you knew my path. …

Job 23:10 But he knows the way that I take: when he has tried me, I shall come …

Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knows …

John 10:14,27 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine…

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, …

way

Psalm 112:10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his …

Psalm 146:9 The LORD preserves the strangers; he relieves the fatherless and …

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof are …

Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but he loves …

Matthew 7:13 Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad …

2 Peter 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, …


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Psalm 1

1. Blessed is the man. (19) The meaning of the Psalmist, as I have stated above, is, that it shall be always well with God’s devout servants, whose constant endeavor it is to make progress in the study of his law. The greater part of mankind being accustomed to deride the conduct of the saints as mere simplicity, and to regard their labor as entirely thrown away, it was of importance that the righteous should be confirmed in the way of holiness, by the consideration of the miserable condition of all men without the blessing of God, and the conviction that God is favorable to none but those who zealously devote themselves to the study of divine truth. Moreover, as corruption has always prevailed in the world, to such a degree, that the general character of men’s lives is nothing else but a continual departure from the law of God, the Psalmist, before asserting the blessedness of the students of the divine law, admonishes them to beware of being carried away by the ungodliness of the multitude around them. Commencing with a declaration of his abhorrence of the wicked, he teaches us how impossible it is for any one to apply his mind to meditation upon God’s laws who has not first withdrawn and separated himself from the society of the ungodly. A needful admonition surely; for we see how thoughtlessly men will throw themselves into the snares of Satan; at least, how few comparatively there are who guard against the enticements of sin. That we may be fully apprised of our danger, it is necessary to remember that the world is fraught with deadly corruption, and that the first step to living well is to renounce the company of the ungodly, otherwise it is sure to infect us with its own pollution.

As the prophet, in the first place, enjoins the godly to beware of temptations to evil, we shall follow the same order. His affirmation, that they are blessed who have no fellowship with the ungodly, is what the common feeling and opinion of mankind will scarcely admit; for while all men naturally desire and seek after happiness, we see how securely they can indulge themselves in their sins, yea, that those of them who have departed farthest from righteousness, in the gratification of their lusts, are accounted happy, because they obtain the desires of their heart. The prophet, on the contrary, here teaches that no man can be duly animated to the fear and service of God, and to the study of his law, until he is firmly persuaded that all the ungodly are miserable, and that they who do not withdraw from their company shall he involved in the same destruction with them. But as it is no easy matter to shun the ungodly with whom we are mingled in the world, so as to be wholly estranged from them, the Psalmist, in order to give the greater emphasis to his exhortation, employs a multiplicity of expressions.

In the first place, he forbids us to walk in their counsel; in the second place, to stand in their way; and, lastly, to sit in their seat

The sum of the whole is, that the servants of God must endeavor utterly to abhor the life of ungodly men. But as it is the policy of Satan to insinuate his deceits, in a very crafty way, the prophet, in order that none may be insensibly deceived, shows how by little and little men are ordinarily induced to turn aside from the right path. They do not, at the first step, advance so far as a proud contempt of God but having once begun to give ear to evil counsel, Satan leads them, step by step, farther astray, till they rush headlong into open transgression. The prophet, therefore, begins with counsel, by which term I understand the wickedness which does not as yet show itself openly. Then he speaks of the way, which is to be understood of the customary mode or manner of living. And he places at the top of the climax the seat, by which metaphorical expression he designates the obduracy produced by the habit of a sinful life. In the same way, also, ought the three phrases, to walk, to stand, and to sit, to be understood. When a person willingly walks after the gratification of his corrupt lusts, the practice of sinning so infatuates him, that, forgetful of himself, he grows hardened in wickedness; and this the prophet terms standing in the way of sinners. Then at length follows a desperate obstinacy, which he expresses by the figure of sitting. Whether there is the same gradation in the Hebrew words רשעים, reshaim, חטאים, chataim, and לצים, letsim, that is to say, a gradual increase of evil, I leave to the judgment of others. (20) To me it does not appear that there is, unless perhaps in the last word. For those are called scorners who, having thrown off all fear of God, commit sin without restraint, in the hope of escaping unpunished, and without compunction or fear sport at the judgment of God, as if they would never be called to render up an account to him. The Hebrew word חטאים, chataim, as it signifies the openly wicked, is very properly joined with the term way, which signifies a professed and habitual manner of living. (21) And if, in the time of the Psalmist, it was necessary for the devout worshippers of God to withdraw themselves from the company of the ungodly, in order to frame their life aright, how much more in the present day, when the world has become so much more corrupt, ought we carefully to avoid all dangerous society that we may be kept unstained by its impurities. The prophet, however, not only commands the faithful to keep at a distance from the ungodly, from the dread of being infected by them, but his admonition farther implies, that every one should be careful not to corrupt himself, nor abandon himself to impiety. (22) A man may not have contracted defilement from evil examples, and yet come to resemble the wicked by spontaneously imitating their corrupt manners.



(19) In the Septuangint, the reading is μακαριος ἀνηρ, blessed is the man. Both Calvin and our English translators have adopted this rendering. But the Hebrew word אשרי, rendered blessed, is in the plural number, and האיש, ha-ish, the man, in the singular. Accordingly, the words have been considered as an exclamation, and may be literally rendered, O, the blessedness of the man! A beautiful and emphatic form of expression.

(20) C’est a dire, un accroissement de mal comme par degrez. — Fr.

(21) Il est bien conjoint avec le verbe signifiant une profession de vivre et un train tout accoustume. — Fr.

(22) Et s’adonner de soy-mesme a impiete. — Fr.



In the second verse, the Psalmist does not simply pronounce those happy who fear God, as in other places, but designates godliness by the study of the law, teaching us that God is only rightly served when had law is obeyed. It is not left to every man to frame a system of religion according to his own judgment, but the standard of godliness is to be taken from the Word of God. When David here speaks of the law, it ought not to be understood as if the other parts of Scripture should be excluded, but rather, since the whole of Scripture is nothing else than an exposition of the law, under it as the head is comprehended the whole body. The prophet, therefore, in commending the law, includes all the rest of the inspired writings. He must, therefore, be understood as meaning to exhort the faithful to the reading of the Psalms also. From his characterising the godly as delighting in the law of the Lord, we may learn that forced or servile obedience is not at all acceptable to God, and that those only are worthy students of the law who come to it with a cheerful mind, and are so delighted with its instructions, as to account nothing more desirable or delicious than to make progress therein. From this love of the law proceeds constant meditation upon it, which the prophet mentions on the last clause of the verse; for all who are truly actuated by love to the law must feel pleasure in the diligent study of it.



The Psalmist here illustrates, and, at the same time, confirms by a metaphor the statement made in the preceding verse; for he shows in what respect those who fear God are to be accounted happy, namely, not because they enjoy an evanescent and empty gladness, but because they are in a desirable condition. There is in the words an implied contrast between the vigor of a tree planted in a situation well watered, and the decayed appearance of one which, although it may flourish beautifully for a time, yet soon withers on account of the barrenness of the soil in which it is placed. With respect to the ungodly, as we shall afterwards see, (Psa 37:35) they are sometimes like “the cedars of Lebanon.” They have such an overflowing abundance of wealth and honors, that nothing seems wanting to their present happiness. But however high they may be raised, and however far and wide they may spread their branches, yet having no root in the ground, nor even a sufficiency of moisture from which they may derive nourishment, the whole of their beauty by and by disappears, and withers away. It is, therefore, the blessing of God alone which preserves any in a prosperous condition. Those who explain the figure of the faithful bringing forth their fruit in season, as meaning that they wisely discern when a thing ought to be done so as to be done well, in my opinion, show more acuteness than judgment, by putting a meaning upon the words of the prophet which he never intended. He obviously meant nothing more than that the children of God constantly flourish, and are always watered with the secret influences of divine grace, so that whatever may befall them is conducive to their salvation; while, on the other hand, the ungodly are carried away by the sudden tempest, or consumed by the scorching heat. And when he says, he bringeth forth his fruit in season, (23) he expresses the full maturity of the fruit produced, whereas, although the ungodly may present the appearance of precocious fruitfulness, yet they produce nothing that comes to perfection.

(23) “And it bringeth forth all its produce to maturity.” — (Street’s New Literal Version of the Psalms.)



The Psalmist might, with propriety, have compared the ungodly to a tree that speedily withers, as Jeremiah likens them to the heath which grows in the wilderness, (Jer 17:6) But not reckoning this figure sufficiently strong, he debases them by employing another, which represents them in a light still more contemptible: and the reason is, that he does not keep his eye on the prosperous condition of which they boast for a short time, but his mind is seriously pondering on the destruction which awaits them, and will at length overtake them. The meaning, therefore, is, although the ungodly now live prosperously, yet by and by they shall be like chaff; for when the Lord has brought them low, he shall drive them hither and thither with the blast of his wrath. Besides, by this form of speech, the Holy Spirit teaches us to contemplate with the eye of faith, what might otherwise seem incredible; for although the ungodly man rise high, and appear to great advantage, like a stately tree, we may rest assured that he will be even as chaff or refuse, whenever God chooses to cast him down from his high estate, with the breath of his mouth.



In the fifth verse, the prophet teaches that a happy life depends on a good conscience, and that, therefore, it is not wonderful, if the ungodly suddenly fall from the happiness of which they fancied themselves in possession. And there is implied in the words a kind of concession; the prophet tacitly acknowledges that the ungodly please and enjoy themselves, and triumph during the reign of moral disorder in the world; just as robbers revel in the woods and caves, when beyond the reach of justice. But he assures us, that things will not always remain in their present state of confusion, and that when they shall have been reduced to proper order, these ungodly persons shall be entirely deprived of their pleasures, and feel that they were infatuated when they thought themselves happy. We now see how the Psalmist pronounces the ungodly to be miserable, because happiness is the inward blessing of a good conscience. He does not deny, that before they are driven to judgment, all things succeed well with them; but he denies that they are happy unless they have substantial and steadfast integrity of character to sustain them: for the true integrity of the righteous manifests itself when it comes at length to be tried. It is indeed true, that the Lord daily executes judgment, by making a distinction between the righteous and the wicked, but because this is done only partially in this life, we must look higher if we desire to beholdthe assembly of the righteous, of which mention is here made.



Even in this world the prosperity of the ungodly begins to pass away as often as God manifests the tokens of his judgment; (for then, being awakened out of sleep, they are constrained to acknowledge, whether they will or no, that they have no part with the assembly of the righteous;) but because this is not accomplished always, nor with respect to all men, in the present state, we must patiently wait for the day of final revelation, in which Christ will separate the sheep from the goats. At the same time, we must maintain it as a general truth, that the ungodly are devoted to misery; for their own consciences condemn them for their wickedness; and, as often as they are summoned to give an account of their life, their sleep is broken, and they perceive that they were merely dreaming when they imagined themselves to be happy, without looking inward to the true state of their hearts.

Moreover, as things appear to be here driven about at the mercy of chance, and as it is not easy for us, in the midst of the prevailing confusion, to acknowledge the truth of what the Psalmist had said, he therefore presents to our consideration the grand principle, that God is the Judge of the world. Granting this, it follows that it cannot but be well with the upright and the just, while, on the other hand, the most terrible destruction must impend over the ungodly. According to all outward appearance, the servants of God may derive no advantage from their uprightness; but as it is the peculiar office of God to defend them and take care of their safety, they must be happy under his protection. And from this we may also conclude that, as he is the certain avenger of wickedness, although, for a time, he may seem to take no notice of the ungodly, yet at length he will visit them with destruction. Instead, therefore, of allowing ourselves to be deceived with their imaginary felicity, let us, in circumstances of distress, have ever before our eyes the providence of God, to whom it belongs to settle the affairs of the world, and to bring order out of confusion.




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Psalm 1

The happiness of the godly; the unhappiness of the ungodly. Psa 1:1. Blessed is the man- This Psalm is generally supposed to have been designed as a preface to the rest, and as a short luminary of the whole book. The subject of it is, the difference between pious and ungodly men, both in this life and in that which is to come: it was compared either by the collector of this book of Psalms, or by David himself, as Apollinarius and others think. Fenwick, in his introduction to this Psalm, thinks that the subject of it, as of the whole book, is the Messiah; who seems, says he, to be THE Man, (for the Hebrew is emphatical,) whom the prophet here meant to describe as a Blessed One: and so judged St. Augustin. He came to give us an example and to fulfil all righteousness, and is, for that reason, represented as never walking in the counsel of the wicked, but placing his whole delight in the law of the Lord. The character of this Blessed One appears to be drawn here by way of climax. He does not walk after the counsel of the wicked; he does not stand, or even take a step in the way of sinners; he does not even sit in company, so as to have any intimacy or familiar correspondence with such scorners of God and his law, though occasionally, and for their good, he converses with them. Thus, I have not sat with vain persons,-I will not sit with the wicked, Psa 26:4-5 plainly mean, "I will not make them my familiars or chosen companions;" and, thus taken, it seems most naturally to lead to the character of one whose whole delight is in the law of the Lord, and who, for that reason, will be so far from doing evil himself, that he will never enter into any familiarity with evil men. See Fenwick's Psalter in its original form, and Bishop Hare.

Psa 1:3. Like a tree planted by the rivers of water- It is observed by Fleury, in his excellent dissertation concerning this and several other psalms of the like kind, whose subjects are purely moral, that the want of tender expressions and pathetic sentiments is sufficiently compensated by beautiful paintings, fine metaphors, and noble comparisons. The literal sense of the word פלגי palgei rendered rivers, is divisions, which may refer to the custom of conveying water to orchards or gardens by cuts or trenches, from springs or rivers, to be diverted or stopped, or applied in a greater or less plenty to this or that plantation, as the gardener shall direct: and this acceptation of the word is very proper for this place, as referring to an abundantly flourishing fruit-tree. His and he should be rendered in this verse its and it; Whatsoever it doeth; i.e. the metaphor being kept up "Whatsoever this tree bringeth forth, whether bud, blossom, or fruit, it shall prosper."

Psa 1:4. Like the chaff- This comparison is frequently used by the Psalmist, and it receives great illustration and emphasis, when we consider that the people of Judea had their threshing-floors on an eminence; that the method of winnowing their corn was, by throwing it up against the wind with a shovel, and that they chose this lofty situation, that the wind might act with more force, and drive the chaff away more easily. The wicked seem to be here compared to chaff, because, instead of continually meditating, and minding the law of God, they are continually hurried on by their corrupt affections from one wickedness to another, and so rendered unable to abide the judgment of the great day. This seems implied in the words, Therefore they shall not stand in the judgment. See Shaw's Travels, and Fenwick. It should be considered, that, in general, the Psalms were made at a time when God governed the Jews with an equal providence; and, according to the promises and threatenings of the law, gave good things to those who obeyed him, and as surely punished the wicked, even in this world. But with us the case is otherwise. We have clearer and better promises; and it is apparent enough, that there is an unequal distribution of things in this world; so that we must wait for our reward till we enter into the next life, when the Son of God shall render to every man according to his work. We must not, therefore, expect that this, and many other such promises, dispersed throughout the Psalms, should always be literally fulfilled in this world; for we can apply them to ourselves, as Christians, no otherwise than as certain assurances, that they who are entitled to them are undoubtedly in God's favour; and, therefore, if we behave so as to deserve them, according to the literal promise to the Jews, we may humbly hope, that either they will be made good to us here, or else, which is far better, we shall, in the world to come, receive a much greater reward. It is observable, that in 2Co 9:9 where St. Paul quotes Psa 112:9 he breaks off in the middle of the verse; which seems the more extraordinary, because there are but a few words left: He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness remaineth for ever: here he stops; and the reason seems to be, because the remaining part of the verse, his horn shall be exalted with honour, relates rather to the temporal reward, which the Psalmist assured his countrymen, the Jews, that the charitable man should have. and this the Apostle left out, as an improper consideration for his Christian disciples; for whom, as their views were so much more noble, it was a sufficient encouragement to consider, that their righteousness should remain for ever. I here mention this once for all; and, though there are many passages in the Psalms, where the same observation might be proper, I shall presume that it need not to be repeated.

Psa 1:5. Shall not stand in the judgment- That is, "They shall have nothing to allege in their defence, but shall be condemned without remission." The Syriac renders it, They shall not be acquitted.

REFLECTIONS.-1st, This Psalm opens with the description of the holy and truly happy man. Blessed is the man, or, O the blessedness of the man! how great, how unutterable, in time and eternity! His character is strongly marked; and by his fruits he may be known. He walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly; does not take his maxims from the world, which lieth in wickedness, nor fashion his conduct after their destructive ways; nor standeth in the way of sinners, though himself was once such; nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful; however high their pretences to superior wisdom, and however much they affect to treat with contempt the revealed will of God: such children of pride shall not have his ear for a moment; their company he will shun as a plague, and their breath as infectious. But his delight is in the law of the Lord. This sacred clue the man of God with delight follows, and in his law doth he meditate day and light: his Bible is his companion, he wishes no better entertainment; the glorious truths engage his deep meditation, are the matter of his daily converse; and if by night his eyes are kept waking, his thoughts are pleasingly occupied in God's word: in this best course his soul prospers in every divine disposition, and consequently partakes of true and lasting felicity; for holiness and happiness are inseparable. And he shall be, or then shall he be, like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season. When, by divine grace, he is thus enabled to delight and meditate in God's word, the gracious effects of it will be evident; his leaf of profession continues green and flourishing, and his holy fruits of righteousness abound. The Lord, whose planting he is, waters him every moment; conveys to his soul the living streams of divine grace, from Jesus the living fountain; and thus he grows tall as the cedar, and fruitful as the vine: nor is his state fading, his leaves withering, or his fruit blasted like the untimely fig's: no, His leaf also shall not wither. Preserved by Almighty grace, decay shall not tarnish his beauty, nor apostacy lay the axe to the root; but whatsoever he doeth shall prosper; every prayer shall receive an answer of peace; every labour shall be attended with success; every providence be sanctified; and, in short, all things work together for his good. Such is the blessed, holy, happy man. May my soul bear the divine impression, and correspond more to this amiable character!

2nd, The very contrast to those above described, is the character of the ungodly; they are not so; sin is their way; the company they keep is, like themselves, ungodly; their opinions are erroneous, as their practice is perverse. They abide in the paths of wickedness, and sit down content with their own deceivings; negligent of God's word, never consulting it in secret; and if they sit under it, what a weariness is it? Their thoughts, dissipated in pursuits of worldly vanity, or fleshly indulgences, never fix on the sacred volume; nor day nor night are they occupied therein. Like a blasted tree their leaf is withered, and, instead of yielding fruit, is only fit fuel for the flames: the curse of God is upon them in all the labour of their hands, and misery follows them closer than their shadow. They are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Vanity is stamped on all their enjoyments; they are driven before the breath of every temptation; light and despicable, in God's account, as the dust of the balance, and ready to suffer the eternal blasting of the breath of his displeasure; when, with his fan in his hand, he shall thoroughly purge his floor, and the chaff shall be burnt with fire unquenchable. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment: in that dreadful day, when God shall summon to his bar the guilty sons of Adam, to receive their eternal doom, then shall confusion cover them, every plea be silenced, every mouth be stopped. Though, with hypocrisy, perhaps, they once joined in the assembly of God's saints, their place shall be no more found; nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous: an awful, an eternal separation shall be made; these shall go into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal: For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; they walk by faith in Christ the living way, and they are accounted righteous, as accepted in him; and are really righteous; as they derive a divine nature from him; God knows them, sees and approves the way in which they go, and will soon everlastingly reward them. But the way of the ungodly shall perish: they have chosen their delusions, and must perish in their own deceiving; their way is alway grievous, and the end thereof is misery and death eternal. Lord, shut not up my soul with sinners!

Let the righteous rejoice; let the sinner tremble. In a moment this dread eternity opens, and their everlasting state is determined: oh! that it might awaken the fears of the ungodly, and quicken the diligence of the faithful!


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Psalm 1

Psalms 1

True happiness is the theme of this psalm, whose author is unnamed. The negative side of true happiness is stated (Psa 1:1), and then the positive (Psa 1:2). Its reward follows (Psa 1:3). Its nature and value are emphasized by a sharp contrast. Such a man is godly, his opposite ungodly (Psa 1:4). The first is marked by stability, the second by instability (Psa 1:4). The first has endless fruitfulness and blessing, the second has nothing and worse than nothing (Psa 1:5), for he cannot be acquitted at the judgment day. The secret of it all is found in Jehovah (Psa 1:6). The psalm is a summary of the whole book, and is appropriately placed at the beginning as a sort of preface.

Psalms 2

Is prophetic and Messianic in one (see introductory lesson). It had a partial fulfillment at the first advent of Christ (Act 4:25; Act 13:33), but a complete one is to follow at the second advent, as will be seen in the study of the prophets. The nations will rage and the kings of the earth again set themselves against Jehovah and His Christ, lead by the Antichrist (Psa 2:1-3), but they will be regarded with contempt and terrified by divine judgments (Psa 2:4-5). God’s purpose will not be altered, which is to establish His Son upon His kingdom in the earth at Jerusalem (Psa 2:6).

The Son Himself speaks in verse seven, the last clause of which refers to His inauguration as Mediatorial King, and does not in any way impugn His Deity. The Gentile nations are to be His in that day (Psa 2:8), and although it will be the millennial day, yet its peace and righteousness will be secured through judgments and by the firmness of its Holy Ruler (Psa 2:9). Kings and princes are warned to prepare themselves for its coming (Psa 2:10-12). “Kiss the Son” means submit to His authority.

Psalms 3

As its title indicates, read Psalms 3 in connection with 2 Samuel 15.

In his distress to whom does David appeal (Psa 3:1)? Not only had men turned their backs upon him but it was charged that God had done so. Remember the possible reason for this suspicion in David’s sin with Bathsheba, preceding this rebellion of Absalom. Does David still retain his faith in God’s promises, regardless (Psa 3:3)? What is the ground of his confidence (Psa 3:4), and its expression (Psa 3:5-6)? What is the nature of his further appeal (Psa 3:7)? “Cheek-bone” and “teeth” represent his enemies as wild beasts ready to devour him. By faith he already sees these enemies overcome, and praises God as his deliverer (Psa 3:8).

The word “Selah” at the close of verse two is obscure, and may denote a pause or rest in the singing, or an emphasis to be laid on the particular sentiment expressed.

Psalms 4

This cry of distress may have been composed by David on the same occasion as the last. He is not trusting in his own righteousness, but God’s righteousness (Psa 4:1). The doctrine of imputed righteousness was apprehended by the spiritually enlightened in Old Testament, as well as in New Testament, times. For a further illustration of this in David compare the opening verse of Psalms 32, with Paul’s application of them in Romans 4.

David is encouraged to utter this cry by past mercies “Thou hast enlarged me,” and I trust Thee again. Verse 2 shows the source of his trouble. His “glory” may refer to his kingly dignity now dishonored by exile. But the schemes of his enemies were “vanity,” and brought about by lying and creating delusions.

His confidence was in the divine purpose towards him (Psa 4:3), and they who are against him are cautioned to repent and turn to the Lord (Psa 4:4-5). In

the midst of his afflictions he values the divine favor (Psa 4:6), which brings more experimental joy to him than the husbandman knows at harvest time (Psa 4:7-8).

“To the chief musician on Neginoth,” indicates the purpose for which it was set apart as a musical composition. Neginoth were the stringed instruments used in the Levitical service, and the chief musician was the leader of that part of the choir.

Psalms 5

Is a morning prayer (Psa 5:3). The words “look up” are rendered “keep watch” in the Revised Version. The psalmist would keep watch on himself, that his life and conduct might be such as to insure the answer to his prayer (Psa 5:4-7). The need of the prayer is indicated (Psa 5:8). The enemies referred to are then described (Psa 5:9), and their judgment committed into God’s hands who defends the righteous (Psa 5:11-12). Nehiloth means flutes or wind instruments.

Psalms 6

Represents David in deeper distress of soul than we have seen thus far. Conviction of sin is upon him. Those who have studied 2 Samuel will not need to be reminded of occasions for this experience, though the connection with Bathsheba will first suggest itself. He feels the justness of the divine rebuke (Psa 6:1), but pleads for mercy (Psa 6:2). The time of spiritual darkness has been extensive (Psa 6:3-4). Will it end in death (Psa 6:5)? He is heartbroken (Psa 6:6-7). Enemies are rejoicing in his sorrow, but their glee is short-lived (Psa 6:7-8). Light breaks, the morning dawns, tears are wiped away, for the Lord heard him! Be gone, mine enemies, be ashamed and turn back (Psa 6:9-10)!

Verse 5 need not be interpreted as expressing doubt of a future state, but may be simply a contrast between this scene of life and the unseen world of the dead symbolized by the “grave” (Heb., sheol). Sheminith means the “eighth,” and perhaps this was apt for the eighth key, or the bass of the stringed instruments.

QUESTIONS

1. Memorize Psalms 1.

2. What is an appropriate theme for it?

3. State the twofold application of Psalms 2.

4. Will the millennium represent only peace and cheerful obedience to God and His Son?

5. Did you re-read 2 Samuel 15?

6. On what ground might God have forsaken David according to Psalms 3?

7. What may Selah mean?

8. What great Gospel doctrine finds illustration in the psalms of David?

9. Define Neginoth and Nehiloth.

10. What is the Hebrew for “grave”?




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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge by R. A. Torrey [ca. 1880]
Expanded version courtesy INT Bible ©2013, Used by permission
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