The Book of Psalms is like no other in the Bible. Its title in Hebrew literally means “book of praise”. Join me each Sunday to learn how to pray the Psalms. Something special happens when you pray God’s words back to Him. Each week, we’ll do one or two Psalms in order through the book. Let’s dig in…
The Book of Psalms
First, as we go through these, I want you to see Jesus in each Psalm. The Book of Psalms is know as a Psalter. It’s divided into 5 Books. Moreover, there are 7 types of Psalms…
- Laments
- Thanksgiving
- Enthronement
- Pilgrimage
- Royal
- Wisdom
- Imprecatory — Judgment
Pastor Sandy explains…
The Psalms were written out of every possible human situation, and emotion. They teach us how to relate to God in any situation.
Think of it this way… Genesis to Esther is full of movements, places, dates, and decrees – it records Hebrew history – the steps of their feet…
But the Psalms provide us the beat of their heart.
It’s a Diary of Devotion. The book of Psalms chronicles the inner life of the nation Israel – their spiritual struggles and victories. Picture the Psalms as the EKG read-out… as God’s people take the stress test called life…
Hebrew tradition says these five divisions were intended to correspond with the first five books of the Bible – the Law of Moses. And there would be no better way to begin a reading of the Law than with Psalm One…
Sandy Adams
Psalm 1
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.4 But not the wicked!
Psalm 1 NLT
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
The NIV and the NKJV versions start with “Blessed”. Similar to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5. “Blessed” literally means “happy, happy, happy”! Very happy! In other words, don’t listen to the wrong voices! Don’t hang out with the wrong people! This is the best advice EVER!
Do you look at life through the right worldview? A truly happy person is surrounded by people with the same Biblical Worldview. When you sync your life with Jesus, you automatically get hope, peace and joy that truly surpass all understanding.
Meditating on God’s Word means instead of emptying your mind, you fill it with His words. You ponder them, or mull them over. The Bible was not meant to be read in a hurry and say you did it. NO! It’s meant to be studied, to contemplate what God is trying to say to you.
The River
Jesus is the River of Life! When you plant yourself firmly by the riverside, your roots will grow deep seeking the living water. Only Jesus can provide that. Remember the Samaritan Woman? Jesus quenches our spiritual thirst. That living water also helps us produce fruit and we will never wither. Sure storms will come. The wind will blow, but those with deep roots bend and don’t topple over. I’ve witnessed my fair share of hurricanes and if tree roots stay near the surface looking for drips of water, when that storm and winds come, they’ll fall over.
Who’s the chaff? The wicked, evil people who reject God and are not born again. In Revelation 21:8, Jesus clearly tells us who will be allowed into Heaven and who will not…
8 “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Revelation 21:8 NLT
How to Pray Psalm 1
Here’s a sample prayer. You can replace words to fit your life and situation…
Thank you Lord, for blessing me because I don’t follow the advice of the wicked or hang out with sinners or join in with mockers. Thank you that I can delight in your Word and think about it day and night.
Thank you for planting me along the river of your living water. I am fruitful and will never wither. Because of you, I will prosper in everything I do. I am comforted that the wicked are already condemned and will not be allowed into Heaven. Thank you for guiding my path and sending the wicked to their destruction. Amen.
Giselle Aguiar
Psalm 2
A Psalm of David, but prophetic of Jesus. More than likely, David wrote this during war, but it speaks of more than the battle back then. It’s a prophecy of Jesus’ Second Coming when He’ll destroy all the nations who hate Israel. (We’ll cover this next Saturday. Subscribe so you don’t miss out!)
Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one (Messiah).
3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then in anger he rebukes them,
terrifying them with his fierce fury.
6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
in Jerusalem (Zion), on my holy mountain.”7 The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.
Today I have become your Father.
8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
the whole earth as your possession.
9 You will break them with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.’”10 Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Psalm 2 NLT
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry,
and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant.
But what joy for all who take refuge in him!
Pastor Sandy Adams comments…
This depicts the end of the age when the armies of the Antichrist rally to the Valley of Megiddo to fight against the true Christ. They will have seen the sign of the Son in the clouds, and they intend to war against him. What a vain, empty ambition – to prevent Jesus, the Lord of glory, from returning to Earth to take what rightly belongs to Him. But that’s the point of the psalm – rebellion against God is the ultimate insanity.
This is sheer arrogance. Man wants to break from God’s authority, and shed himself of God’s rules and restraint. This is the source of man’s rebellion. People don’t want anyone telling them what to do. A proud man bucks at any limitations on his freedom. In the end times this attitude may take the form of a UN Resolution – an official, formal conspiracy against God. Today, it’s a spiritual rebellion…
God laughs at man’s defiance, but rebellion against God is no laughing matter for mankind.
Sandy Adams
“As though man – who’s orbited some hardware in space… can compete with a God who has orbited a hundred million galaxies! As though man – who has solved a few subtleties of the atom, and managed to scare himself half to death in the process – can compete with a God who stokes the nuclear fires of a billion stars! No wonder He that sits in the heavens simply laughs.”
John Philips, Commentator
How to Pray Psalm 2
You probably thought that this one doesn’t serve well as a prayer, but you’re wrong.
Lord, why are the nations so angry? I know you rule from Heaven and that you’re in control. You’re laughing at these leaders who think they can run the world. Soon, you will rebuke them. King Jesus, You are the Son, the Messiah, who will come back to rule the world. You hold the nations in your hands.
I will serve you with reverent fear and respect. I rejoice and submit to You, Jesus, my Savior, Lord and King. Thank you for being my place of refuge. Amen.
Giselle Aguiar
Funny, I remember singing, “He’s Got the World in His Hands” in SCHOOL! We believed it back then. We need to keep believing it now.
Read these psalms again. Get yourself a journal or blank book so you can write down your prayers. Keep them handy. Read them aloud day and night. They’ll encourage you in the morning and give you peace to sleep at night. In fact, the next 2 specifically speak about sleeping! Subscribe so you don’t miss out! There are 150 Psalms and we’ll cover ALL of them. Come along for the ride!