15
What Are the Psalms? • The Psalms are a collec-on of lyrical poems or songs. They were sung or chanted in worship.
• Psalms is one of only two Old Testament books to iden-fy itself as a composite work containing mul-ple authors (Proverbs is the other).
• The book was originally -tled TEHILLIM, which means “praise songs” in Hebrew. The English -tle of “Psalms” originated from the Septuagint’s Greek -tle Psalmoi, also meaning “songs of praise.”
Psalms: Being Wise In Thought Wisdom When Making Decisions Lesson 1: Psalms 1 & 15
What Are the Psalms? • Some psalms name their author in the first line or -tle. For example, Moses wrote Psalm 90. David was responsible for many of them, composing seventy-‐three psalms. Asaph wrote twelve; the descendants of Korah penned ten. Solomon wrote one or two, and Ethan and Heman the Ezrahites were responsible for two others. The remainder of the psalms do not contain informa-on about their authors.
Psalms: Being Wise In Thought Wisdom When Making Decisions Lesson 1: Psalms 1 & 15
What Are the Psalms? • The Psalms use singing terms that were common to the Hebrew mind. An example of this is the term SELAH, which meant to take a drama-c pause to show an emphasis.
• We will look at other musical terms and nota-ons as we study the text together.
• Our goal isn’t to study the whole book of Psalms (there isn’t enough -me), but we will note special aspects of Psalms as they come up.
Psalms: Being Wise In Thought Wisdom When Making Decisions Lesson 1: Psalms 1 & 15
What Is Wisdom? • 2 words we must understand: – BINAH (Hebrew) or EPIGNOSIS (Greek) – usually translated “knowledge” or “understanding” – from word for “between”, it literally refers to 2 rivers joining and sharing water or two minds joining together and sharing knowledge between them.
– CHOKHMAH (Hebrew) or SOPHIA (Greek) – usually “wisdom”, the skill that is learned through -me of applying knowledge to day to day situa-ons; to be able to separate right and wrong or good from evil
Psalms: Being Wise In Thought Wisdom When Making Decisions Lesson 1: Psalms 1 & 15
Want Wisdom? “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doub-ng, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord (James 1:5-‐7).” This is how Solomon received his wisdom before earning it with -me and experience (1 Kgs. 3; 2 Chr. 1).
Psalms: Being Wise In Thought Wisdom When Making Decisions Lesson 1: Psalms 1 & 15
What A Wise Person Does Not Do • Walk in the counsel of ungodly men (1:1) – base ac-ons on “wisdom” of the worldly
• Stand in the way of sinners (1:1) – be in places where the unwise will gather
• Sit with the scornful (1:1) – sit and listen to those who cri-cize, condemn and complain, con-nually nega-ve voices
Psalms: Being Wise In Thought Wisdom When Making Decisions Lesson 1: Psalms 1 & 15
What A Wise Person Does • Devotes: delights in God’s law, meditates day and night on God’s words (1:2)
• Grows roots: plants themselves by the streams of water – knowledge of God (1:3)
• Grows fruit: yields fruit appropriately in the right season or -me (1:3)
• Prospers: blessed by what happens (1:3) Psalms: Being Wise In Thought Wisdom When Making Decisions Lesson 1: Psalms 1 & 15
What A Wise Person Does • Walks: blameless/right in daily walk (15:2)
• Speaks: honest with others and self (15:2) • Watches words: doesn’t tear down others needlessly with words (15:3)
• Watches ac-ons: doesn’t do evil things to a neighbor or do what would bring reproach to a friend (15:3)
Psalms: Being Wise In Thought Wisdom When Making Decisions Lesson 1: Psalms 1 & 15
What A Wise Person Does • Judges rightly: despises vile people and honors those who fear God (15:4)
• Speaks consistently: swears to own hurt and doesn’t alter story (15:4)
• Uses money righteously: doesn’t take advantage through extor-on or bribery (15:5)
Psalms: Being Wise In Thought Wisdom When Making Decisions Lesson 1: Psalms 1 & 15
What Is The Result For The Unwise? • Will blow away like chaff when winds of judgment come (1:4)
• Will not stand when judged by God (1:5)
• Will not stand when living sinful “in the congrega-on” (1:5)
• Will perish in the end (1:6)
Psalms: Being Wise In Thought Wisdom When Making Decisions Lesson 1: Psalms 1 & 15
What Is The Result For The Wise? • The Lord knows the good you do (1:6) – the Lord is your witness regarding being right
• They get to live or abide with the Lord in his tent on this earth and on the holy hill or Zion (15:1) – you are God’s child
• They will not be moved (15:5) – they will be able to stand their ground/be faithful.
Psalms: Being Wise In Thought Wisdom When Making Decisions Lesson 1: Psalms 1 & 15
So What Does This Mean For Us? • Don’t take advice from the ungodly.
• Don’t be in places where the ungodly gather together seeking advice or wisdom.
• Realize God’s view of the ungodly and their lack of wisdom.
• Find your wisdom in God’s Word and from those living life God’s way.
Psalms: Being Wise In Thought Wisdom When Making Decisions Lesson 1: Psalms 1 & 15
As Time Allows… • What is the difference between being knowledgeable or being wise?
• Why is it so dangerous to unite yourself with or spend much -me with the ungodly?
• Why is it so important to spend -me in the Word of God and with godly people?
• How are the wise blessed? (now and later) Psalms: Being Wise In Thought Wisdom When Making Decisions Lesson 1: Psalms 1 & 15
