Author: E. DeWayne Swann

Daily Prayers of Thanksgiving

 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Give Thanks to the Lord

“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Phil 4:6

 

How Great Are Your Works Oh Lord

Psalm 92:1-15 (NLT2)
¹ It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High.
² It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, ³ accompanied by the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre.
⁴ You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.
⁵ O LORD, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts.
⁶ Only a simpleton would not know, and only a fool would not understand this:
⁷ Though the wicked sprout like weeds and evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.
⁸ But you, O LORD, will be exalted forever.
⁹ Your enemies, LORD, will surely perish; all evildoers will be scattered.
¹⁰ But you have made me as strong as a wild ox. You have anointed me with the finest oil.
¹¹ My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked opponents.
¹² But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
¹³ For they are transplanted to the LORD’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God.
¹⁴ Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.
¹⁵ They will declare, “The LORD is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!”

 

Let Us Sing Songs of Praise

Psalm 95:1-7 (NLT2)
¹ Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
² Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.
³ For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods.
⁴ He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains.
⁵ The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too.
⁶ Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker,
⁷ for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!

 

Faithful Instruction and Blessing

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 (NLT2)
¹² Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.
¹³ Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
¹⁴ Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
¹⁵ See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
¹⁶ Always be joyful.
¹⁷ Never stop praying.
¹⁸ Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
¹⁹ Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
²⁰ Do not scoff at prophecies, ²¹ but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.
²² Stay away from every kind of evil.
²³ Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
²⁴ God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
²⁵ Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
²⁶ Greet all the brothers and sisters with Christian love.
²⁷ I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.
²⁸ May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

 

Psalms 2 Close

Why Do the Heathen Rage

 ~We need to look at PS. 2: on two levels—the human and the divine

The truth is that these terrorists, heathen, stands in rebellion against the Lord God

Peter used this psalm to explain the opposition that led to Jesus’ crucifixion and the opposition the early church was experiencing in

Acts. 4:25-28  25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

The sad truth is when we are born into this human race; we are born in rebellion against God with the old Adamic nature.

Paul refers to Psalm 14:1,2 For the director of music. Of David.

Ps 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.  KJV

 

Paul points out in these verses to express this universal rebellion against God in Rom 3:10-18

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:

17 And the way of peace have they not known:

18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.   KJV

That’s a sad picture of mankind, but it’s universally true

Rom. 3:23 “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,”

That is the condition of people’s heart today if they are not in Christ Jesus.
The rebellion toward God is obvious in the hearts of these terrorists.
These nations are in an uproar around the world that constantly dwell on killing innocent people, even the citizens of their own country often times.
But the root of the whole matter is, the rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s certainly of the devil without a doubt.

They’re always planning, plotting and thinking on ways and means to rebel against King Jesus.

Lets notice the contrast, –the righteous man mediates on the Word of God –—the unrighteous man mediates on ways to rebel against God
This is why the terrorists rage, –They are in rebellion against God

The kings of the earth take their stand in defiance against King Jesus. In reality it appears that these Terrorists are standing and shaking their fists in the air at God.

Psalm 2Amplified Bible (AMP)

The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed.

1 Why are the ^[a]nations (Or Gentiles.) in an ^[b]uproar (I.e. a confusion of voices.) [in turmoil against God], And why do the people devise a vain and hopeless plot?

2 The kings of the earth take their stand;
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and His Anointed (the Davidic King, the Messiah, the Christ), saying,
 
3 “Let us break apart their [divine] bands [of restraint]
And cast away their cords [of control] from us.”

4 He who sits [enthroned] in the heavens laughs [at their rebellion];
The [Sovereign] ^[c]Lord (Heb Adonai. “my lords’ ”) scoffs at them [and in supreme contempt He mocks them].

Adonai is the verbal parallel to Yahweh andJehovah. Adonai is plural; the singular is adon. In reference to God the plural Adonai is used. When the singular adon is used, it usually refers to a human lord. Adon is used 215 times to refer to men. Occasionally in Scripture and predominantly in the Psalms, the singular adon is used to refer to God as well (cf. Exd 34:23). To avoid contravening the commandment “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain” (Exd 20:7), sometimes Adonai was used as a substitute forYahweh (YHWH). 

Adonai can be translated literally as, “my lords’ ” (both plural and possessive).

5 Then He will speak to them in His [profound] anger
And terrify them with His displeasure, saying,

6 “Yet as for Me, I have anointed and firmly installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7 “I will declare the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son;
This day [I proclaim] I have begotten You.

8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will assuredly give [You] the nations as Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth as Your possession.

9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall shatter them [in pieces] like earthenware.’”

10 Now therefore, O kings, act wisely;
Be instructed and take warning, O leaders (judges, rulers) of the earth.

11 Worship the Lord and serve Him with reverence [with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder];
Rejoice [yet do so] with trembling.

12 Kiss (pay respect to) the ^[d]Son, so that He does not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled and set aflame.
How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] are all those who take refuge in Him!

 

Footnotes:

Psalm 2:12 The word in the original is bar, taken to be the Aramaic for “son.” But it is surprising that an Aramaic word would be used here. The ancient rabbis maintained that a different word with the same spelling in Hebrew was intended, whose meaning is “pure.” They claimed that it is a reference to the Torah, on the ground that all the words in the Torah are pure.

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Psalms 2 Part 3

Why Do the Heathen Rage

 3rdly—the Lord’s call for mankind to repent and be saved

1. The lost are Speaking 1-3
2. The Lord Speaks v4-7

III. Let us Speak v8-12

The Recommendation Of God

The greatest thing we can do in this hour of human history is to have a bold testimony for Jesus Christ God makes several recommendations to mankind:

1. Be wise. God is the only way to salvation.
Here comes the action.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

1. What we see in these verses is a battle to the finish.
   a) However, no one can stand before God’s anointed.
   b) God has destined Him to be the ruler of the world.

(1) Philippians 2:9 – 11

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

 

Do Everything Without Grumbling

2. And He will become the ruler of everything.
   a) He will be victorious – even if He has to break people and nations like a potter does His clay.

(1) And that is exactly what He has done in many cases.
(a) Powerful Nations have crumbled.
(b) Kings, Presidents and Leaders have fallen.
b) If He has the ability to subdue and break nations that rebel against Him.

(1) I wonder why we think that we as individuals stand a chance of getting away with rebellion.
(2) I wonder if we actually think we can stand in the way of the progress of God’s Kingdom.
(3) I wonder do we really believe that we can block the progress of His cause.

3. God will “break in pieces” those who stand in His way.
   a) He has done it many times before.

 

1. No one or thing will be able to survive if it blocks the progress of God’s work.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

 

God makes several recommendations to mankind:
1. Be wise. God is the only way to salvation.

2. Be warned. Don’t continue to rebel against God.
3. No individual.
4. No Nation.
5. No Church.
6. No Church member.

 

Amplified Bible (AMP)

7 “I will declare the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son;
This day [I proclaim] I have begotten You.

8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will assuredly give [You] the nations as Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth as Your possession.

9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall shatter them [in pieces] like earthenware.’”

 Scene four; God’s Invitation (10-12)

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.    KJV

 

Scene Four – The Grand Finally.

1. The poet gives Solemn warning to all of the judges and kings of the earth and really to all who, on earth, would rebel against the Great Jehovah.
2. a) In light of all that has been said, here comes a word of wisdom.
3. b) Undoubtly they can now see how silly it is to try and rebel against God and His Anointed.
4. Rebellion and revolt will only bring ruin.
5. But faith and trust brings salvation.

Conclusion:

If you are here today and rebelling against God by rejecting His Son – My friend you are on dangerous ground. I advise you to heed the warning in those last few verses.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

God makes several recommendations to mankind:
1. Be wise. God is the only way to salvation.
2. Be warned. Don’t continue to rebel against God.
3. Be God’s people. Take refuge in God.

11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Those who trust in God will find true happiness. Don’t worry about what God is doing. God is still on the throne.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.    KJV

 

Amplified Bible (AMP) 10 Now therefore, O kings, act wisely;
Be instructed and take warning, O leaders (judges, rulers) of the earth.
11 Worship the Lord and serve Him with reverence [with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder];
Rejoice [yet do so] with trembling.
12 Kiss (pay respect to) the ^[d]Son, so that He does not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled and set aflame.
How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] are all those who take refuge in Him!

Footnotes:

Psalm 2:12 The word in the original is bar, taken to be the Aramaic for “son.” But it is surprising that an Aramaic word would be used here. The ancient rabbis maintained that a different word with the same spelling in Hebrew was intended, whose meaning is “pure.” They claimed that it is a reference to the Torah, on the ground that all the words in the Torah are pure.

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

 

Psalms 2 Part 2

Why Do the Heathen Rage

2ndly —is the Lord’s response to mankind’s rebellion:

1. The lost are Speaking 1-3
2. The Lord Speaks v4-7

The Response Of God

Scene one; God’s Indignation (4-6)

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.   (mockingly scornful: showing contempt or ridicule)

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Scene Two – The Father.
1. This scene takes place in heaven.
a) As the scene pans in, we see God, Our Father, sitting in the throne room – Laughing.
(1) He doesn’t become alarmed or disturbed at what the men of earth are doing.
(2) He simply chuckles at man’s belief that they can rebel against Him.
b) He has them in derision…mockingly scornful: showing contempt or ridicule
(1) … That is, He mocks them.
c) Then He speaks to them in His wrath and disturbs them in His displeasure.
(1) He tells them, “I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.”
(2) He is letting everyone know that when it is all said and done, He has the final say.
(3) Man can plan rebellions all they want, Jesus is still King!

How does God respond to the evilness of man?

1. He laughs. When you think about it, man thinking he is as powerful as Almighty God is hilarious.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: * [this is not a laughter of humor]  the Lord shall have them in derision. .* [God views man’s rebellion as utterly ridiculous and scornful.)

OT:7832 sachaq (saw-khak’); a primitive root; to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play:

KJV – deride, have in derision, laugh, make merry, mock (-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in (make) sport.

(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

And in

Prov 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; KJV

Prov 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.  KJV

There is no need to worry fear or fret God is in control.

How does God respond to the evilness of man?

1. 1. He laughs. When you think about it, man thinking he is as powerful as Almighty God is hilarious.
2. He pours out His wrath. God can destroy or remove anyone who opposes Him.
3. He calls the shots. Zion is another name for Jerusalem. Although Jerusalem has experienced many problems and will continue to until the end; Jesus will sit as King in the New Jerusalem, which is Heaven.

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex* [trouble]  them in his sore displeasure.

 

1. This scene encourages me.
   1. It encourages me because I know that Islamic terrorism will not win out.
   a) God has already set His Son upon the throne.
   b) And one day every nation and every people WILL bow down at His feet.
2. It is encouraging that our country will one day return to God.
   a) Even though we have turned our back upon Him.
   b) Even though we have tried to break the cords that have made us a great nation.
   c) Even though we have kicked God out of our homes, schools and churches.

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. * (a permanent capital -Jerusalem)

1. It is great to know that He is still in control and when everything is over – He has the last word.

Amplified Bible (AMP)

4 He who sits [enthroned] in the heavens laughs [at their rebellion];
The [Sovereign] ^[c]Lord (Heb Adonai.) scoffs at them [and in supreme contempt He mocks them].

Adonai is the verbal parallel to Yahweh andJehovah. Adonai is plural; the singular is adon. In reference to God the plural Adonai is used. When the singular adon is used, it usually refers to a human lord. Adon is used 215 times to refer to men. Occasionally in Scripture and predominantly in the Psalms, the singular adon is used to refer to God as well (cf. Exd 34:23). To avoid contravening the commandment “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain” (Exd 20:7), sometimes Adonai was used as a substitute forYahweh (YHWH). 

Adonai can be translated literally as, “my lords’” (both plural and possessive).

5 Then He will speak to them in His [profound] anger. And terrify them with His displeasure, saying,

6 “Yet as for Me, I have anointed and firmly installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

 Scene three; God’s Intention (7-9)

7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

Scene three – The Son.

7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

1. The Son is thrilled at what the Father has just spoken and now He speaks.
2. He speaks of God’s choice of Him as the ruler who will carry out the Father’s divine plan for His creation.
   a) The plan of judgment.
   b) The plan of chastisement.
   c) The plan of warfare against evil forces.
   d) The plan of ultimate victory.

 

Psalms 2 Part 1

Why Do the Heathen Rage

1st—is the fact that mankind stands in rebellion against God’s anointed, the Lord Jesus. Notice this rebellion is universal.

1. The lost are Speaking 1-3

Let’s look at this Psalm, scene by scene.
1) Human society rebels against God’s anointed Messiah,

2) provoking God’s scorn and sure judgment.

3) God has decreed that His Son will rule the Earth.

4) It is essential that we submit now and by taking refuge in the Son find blessing rather than destruction.

Psalms 2

2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

 

The Response Of Man
These verses ask questions that many have asked.
1. Why does God allow man to rebel against Him?

2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

This is the voice of the sinful nature found in each of us

These verses ask questions that many have asked.
1. Why does God allow man to rebel against Him?
2. Why does God allow evil nations and rulers to grow more and more powerful?

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

Verse 1. [Why do the heathen rage] “Why do nations make a noise?” Prof. Alexander. The word “heathen” here – gowyim (OT:1471) – means properly “nations,” without respect, so far as the word is concerned, to the character of the nations. It was applied by the Hebrews to the surrounding nations, or to all other people than their own; and as those nations were in fact pagans or idolators, the word came to have this signification. Neh 5:8; Jer 31:10; Ezek 23:30; 30:11; compare ‘aadaam (OT:120), Jer 32:20. The word Gentile among the Hebrews (Greek, ethnos (NT:1484) expressed the same thing. Matt 4:15; 6:32; 10:5,18; 12:21, et soepe.

The word rendered “rage” – raagash (OT:7283) – means to make a noise or tumult and would be expressive of violent commotion or agitation. It occurs in the Hebrew Scriptures only in this place, though the corresponding Chaldee word – regash (OT:7284) is found in Dan 6:6,11,15 – rendered in Dan 6:6, “assembled together,” in the margin “came tumultuously,” – and in Dan 6:11,15, rendered “assembled.”

 

The psalmist here sees the nations in violent agitation or commotion as if under high excitement, engaged in accomplishing some purpose-rushing on to secure something, or to prevent something.

The image of a mob, or of a tumultuous unregulated assemblage, would probably convey the idea of the psalmist. The word itself does not enable us to determine how extensive this agitation would be, but it is evidently implied that it would be a somewhat general movement; a movement in which more than one nation or people would participate. The matter in hand was something that affected the nations generally, and which would produce violent agitation among them.

[And the people] uwlª’umiym (OT:3816). A word expressing substantially the same idea, that of people, or nations, and referring here to the same thing as the word rendered “heathen” – according to the laws of Hebrew parallelism in poetry. It is the people here that are seen in violent agitation: the conduct of the rulers, as associated with them, is referred to in the next verse.

 

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

[Imagine] Our word “imagine” does not precisely express the idea here. We mean by it, “to form a notion or idea in the mind; to fancy.” Webster. The Hebrew word, haagah (OT:1897), is the same which, in Ps 1:2, is rendered “meditate.” See the notes at that verse. It means here that the mind is engaged in deliberating on it; that it plans, devises, or forms a purpose; in other words, the persons referred to are thinking about some purpose which is here called a vain purpose; they are meditating on some project which excites deep thought, but which cannot be effectual.

 

[A vain thing]

OT:7385 iyq (reek); from OT:7324; emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain:

KJV – empty, to no purpose, (in) vain (thing), vanity.

(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with

Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

 

That is, which will prove to be a vain thing or a thing which they cannot accomplish. It cannot mean that they were engaged in forming plans which they supposed would be vain-for no persons would form such plans; but that they were engaged in designs which the result would show to be unsuccessful. The reference here is to the agitation among the nations in respect to the divine purpose to set up the Messiah as king over the world, and to the opposition which this would create among the nations of the earth. See the notes at Ps 2:2. An ample fulfillment of this occurred in the opposition to him when he came in the flesh, and in the resistance everywhere made since his death to his reign upon the earth. Nothing has produced more agitation in the world (compare Acts 17:6), and nothing still excites more determined resistance.

The truths taught in this verse are:

(1) that sinners are opposed-even so much as to produce violent agitation of mind, and a fixed and determined purpose-to the plans and decrees of God, especially with respect to the reign of the Messiah; and

(2) that their plans to resist this will be vain and ineffectual; wisely as their schemes may seem to be laid, and determined as they themselves are in regard to their execution, yet they must find them vain.

What is implied here of the particular plans against the Messiah, is true of all the purposes of sinners, when they array themselves against the government of God.

 

1. Scene one; Man’s Insurrection. (1-3).
   A. Scene One – Rebellious Man.

2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

1. There is wild commotion as the nations and people rush madly to one central place.
   a) The purpose of this meeting is to set in motion a well planned revolt against their ruler.
   b) They are rebelling against the Lord and His Anointed (Jesus).
2. The Psalmist can’t understand and asked the question:
   a) Why would men do this?
   (1) How can they be so silly to even think that they CAN do this?
   (2) Every day men are doing it

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

2. Men think they can get along without God.
   1. Every day man is living lives that are in rebellion against God.
   a) Every day people are living in rebellion against those things that are holy.
3. How pathetic is it for us to think we can do it all on our own.
   a) We don’t need God in our homes.
   b) We don’t need God in our schools.
   c) We don’t need God in our Nation.
   d) And we have even gotten to the point where we think we don’t need God in our churches.
4. What is the most heartbreaking thing I ever see as a Christian?
   a) To see young people leave home and go to school, get a job, and/or get married.
   b) They then start a new home with a new family.
   c) All the while throwing off all those bands that tied them to the spiritual things of God.

(1) It is as if they are saying that I am going to be Captain of my fate.
(2) I am the master of my own soul.

These verses ask questions that many have asked.
1. Why does God allow man to rebel against Him?
2. Why does God allow evil nations and rulers to grow more and more powerful?
3. Does God care?

3 Let us break their bands *[restraint:] asunder, and cast away their cords* [what is restraining]  from us.

1. Our world and our nation are just like the people and nations mentioned here in the first three verses; now look at God’s response.

The passage (Ps 2:1-3) proves:

(1) that the government of Yahweh, the true God, and the Messiah or Christ, is the same;

(2) that opposition to the Messiah, or to Christ, is in fact opposition to the purposes of the true God;

(3) that it may be expected that men will oppose that government, and there will be agitation and commotion in endeavoring to throw it off.

The passage, considered as referring to the Messiah, had an ample fulfillment

(a) in the purposes of the high priests, of Herod, and of Pilate, to put him to death, and in the general rejection of him by his own countrymen;

(b) in the general conduct of mankind-in their impatience of the restraints of the law of God, and especially of that law as official by the Saviour, demanding submission and obedience to him; and

(c) in the conduct of individual sinners-in the opposition of the human heart to the authority of the Lord Jesus.

The passage before us is just as applicable to the world now as it was to the time when the Saviour personally appeared on the earth.

 Amplified Bible (AMP)

1 Why are the ^[a]nations (Or Gentiles.) in an ^[b]uproar (I.e. a confusion of voices.) [in turmoil against God], And why do the people devise a vain and hopeless plot?

2 The kings of the earth take their stand;
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and His Anointed (the Davidic King, the Messiah, the Christ), saying,
 
3 “Let us break apart their [divine] bands [of restraint]
And cast away their cords [of control] from us.”

Psalms 2 Introduction

Why Do the Heathen Rage

We see all this terrorist madness that is going on every hand. It’s not just here in our country, there’s an ever-growing pattern of terrorist bombings and killings around the world. And according to God’s Word, it is not going to get better but worse, that is until He says enough is enough.

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. KJV

2 Tim 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  KJV

So let us be reminded that God said it would be this way in the last days.

God is not surprised at all that these ungodly terrorists are doing what they are doing, in fact, it should in one way of looking at it be a reminder to us that are saved and that God is allowing this ungodliness to run its course, it’ll not always be this way.

 

Let’s keep in mind that the people who do these ungodly killings are religious people, they reject our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

Osama Ben Loden said that Jesus couldn’t save anybody, years ago (1/1/2011) these poor deceived people think if people don’t believe as they do that the only remedy is to destroy them. Little do they know that they are on a sure road that will destroy them all, and they’re surely going to be destroyed.

It is an empty, and futile thing that has brought these Terrorist together in trying to kill God’s people no matter where they might be in Israel here, or in England are any place else in the world.

This is a great worldwide movement that is against God and against Christ, and all Christians. It’s all a vain and hopeless thing that they are in “…Acts 4:24–25.

Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? KJV

This is a movement against God and His Christ. It has been snowballing as it has come down through the centuries, and it will break out finally in a worldwide revolution against God and against His Christ. There is an opposition against Jehovah God and Christ today like the world has never seen.

As I look about at the world situation with all of its gloomy uncertainty, all of its unrest, and tension, all of the evil in high places, and ungodly nations and leaders making a bid for supremacy. It makes you feel kind of discouraged about the future of everything.

When we begin to feel this way, we need to think of this 2nd Psalm. It has a way of comforting our hearts and reminds me that God is in control. It reminds me that this is my Father’s world; He created it and He still rules over it and that one day righteousness WILL triumph.

THE HEBREW HYMNBOOK begins with two according to John Phillips “orphan” psalms, that is, with two psalms the authors of which are not given. During the entire Old Testament period, like its companion, it stood fatherless on the sacred page. There they are, two psalms without author or inscription, owning no stated author but God.

 

There is something fitting in the grand isolation of these first two Hebrew hymns, for the first has to do with law, and the second with prophecy. The Law and the prophets!

On these two great hinges, all Old Testament revelation hangs. On these same two hinges, all the vast themes that make up the Psalms are suspended as well.

 

They have other points in common.

Psalm 1 is emotional. It begins with an overflowing rush of emotion: Oh, the happiness of the man who delights in the law of God.

Psalm 2 is intellectual. It deals with a moral problem. It begins with the word “Why?”  so it is ok to ask why.   But know this He probably will not answer the way you want. But he will answer. Ex. Ship in the storm.

Psalm 1 begins with a blessing and ends with a curse;

Psalm 2 begins with a curse and ends with a blessing.

Psalm 1 is essentially a psalm of Christ;

Psalm 2 is essentially a psalm of Antichrist.

Psalm 1 shows the meditation of the godly;

Psalm 2 shows the meditation of the ungodly.

These two psalms form the introduction to the Hebrew hymnbook and they summarize for us the content of the whole.

What is so special about this Psalm? Let us read it and listen to God as He speaks out of His Word to His people and against the rulers of the world.

Psalms 2

2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.     KJV

In this Psalm, there are four stanzas of three verses each. Each is perfectly balanced and each is almost the same number of words. The picture in each stanza is perfectly finished without the slightest hint of hurry and crowding. It is excellently written.

God Is On The Throne

In this Psalm, we are reminded that God is still in control.

This Psalm exalts our Savior and gives the prophetic references to our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the human level, this psalm is about the coronation of a new king in Israel and the desire of the nations and peoples to rebel against him. As it often was in the old Biblical days.

In days of old when a king died there was political instability and often those in the far reaches of his kingdom would take this opportunity to rebel before a new king could be appointed.

 

Sounds like us here in the U.S.   We as Christians need to trust God is in control and can and will put in office the right person, whether to bless us or even the possibility of cruising us.

Yet, this psalm plainly says God has appointed the King, and therefore God will crush His enemies, It is futile to rebel against God’s anointed king, and so the nations are called on to submit to the king and avoid certain judgment and destruction.

This psalm is about the enthronement of King Jesus and all of mankind’s rebellion against HIM.

Yet, because God the Father has appointed Jesus to be the King of kings and Lord of lords, He will crush His enemies, therefore mankind is called on to submit to Jesus as Lord and escape His judgment and wrath.

Notice the terms the psalmist uses to show the universal nature of this rebellion

1. “The nations are in an uproar”–

2. “The peoples devise a vain thing”–
3. “The kings of the earth take their stand”–
4. “The rulers take counsel together against Him”

This is a universal call to salvation. This psalm breaks down into 3 parts and we look at them in the coming weeks.

The Blessed Man Part 4

 THE GODLESS MAN (1:4-6)

This is the person who leaves God out of his life. The “ungodly”-that is the mildest description of the lost man in the Bible. By definition a man is either married or unmarried, he is either happy or unhappy, he is either thankful or unthankful, he is either godly or ungodly. Everything about the ungodly man in this psalm sets him in complete contrast with the godly man. The ungodly man is driven, doomed, and damned.

*The Exclusions*

   *The Distinctiveness*

   *The Promise*

1. He Is Determined (l:4)

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

 

CHAFF

The fine, dry material, such as husks (seed coverings) and other debris, which is separated from the seed in the process of threshing grain.

In the Bible, chaff symbolizes worthless, evil, or wicked persons (or things) that are about to be destroyed (Ps 1:4; Matt 3:12; Luke 3:17).

It is a fitting figure of speech to describe complete destruction by judgment.

“The ungodly,” said the psalmist, “are like the chaff which the wind drives away (Ps 1:4).

(from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Having described the godly man, the Holy Spirit, with studied and deliberate contrast, introduces the ungodly man: “The ungodly are not so.”

In the Septuagint version there is a much more pungent way of expressing the double negative of this verse:

“Not so the ungodly, not so.

In contrast with the towering tree, with its roots deep in the soil, nourished by a permanent stream, the ungodly is likened to the chaff which the wind driveth away.

The unsaved man is at the mercy of forces he does not see what he cannot control. Here is a ship, its engines broken, its steering out of order, caught in the grip of a wind. It is being driven by wind and tide toward the jagged rocks that guard the coast. Gripped by forces beyond its control it is being driven straight to disaster.

Such are the forces at work in the life of the ungodly. They are satanic forces, wielded by the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience,

The unsaved man doesn’t believe in Satan or in evil spirits. His education has taught him to believe only in what he can test with his senses, but these are invisible forces and the pressure they exert is secret pressure.

The ungodly man is not the master of his own soul. the captain of his own destiny. He is being relentlessly driven. He is as powerless against these forces as the chaff is before the wind. That is how God describes the ungodly.

1. He Is Determined or Driven (l:4)
2. He Is Doomed (l:5)

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

The sinner has no standing on the day of judgment. He will be summoned to the great white throne there to find the heaven and the earth have fled away.

Everything familiar will be gone. Everything he has sought to build, everything in which he has invested his time and his talents-gone!

He has nowhere to stand. He has built his house upon the sand and the judgment has swept it all away.

1. He Is Driven (l:4)
2. He Is Doomed (l:5)
3. He Is Damned (1:6)

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

“For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

There are only two ways. There is the way of the cross, the way that leads by Calvary to glory.

And there is the way of the curse, the broad and popular way that leads to a lost eternity.

Jesus said in John 14:6

 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man come to the Father, but by me.

By nature, and by practice our feet are set on the broad way.

 

“We have turned every one to his own way,” the prophet declares.

But, by deliberate choice, we can make the change. We come to Jesus, “the way, the truth, the life,” the One who says, “No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.

We take Him as Savior and become numbered with the godly We are no longer driven but directed. The lost man, on the other hand, can no more fight his end than the chaff can fight the wind. “The way of the ungodly shall perish.” That is the Holy Spirit’s sobering, closing word in this first great Hebrew hymn.

The central lesson in Psalm 1 is this: There is not the slightest similarity between the spiritually accelerating life of the righteous and the slowly eroding life of the wicked. Look at the contrasts:

 

Godly                                                      Ungodly

Godly Happiness many times over                   Ungodly Not so!

Godly Uncompromised. purity                          Ungodly Driven by the wind

Godly Has a guide-Word of God                       Ungodly No guide mentioned

Godly Like a tree                                                   Ungodly Like chaff

Godly Stands upright before God                     Ungodly Unable to stand at all

Godly Special object of God’s care                   Ungodly No right to stand, among the righteous assembly

Godly Destiny secure, safe, prosperous           Ungodly Perish

 

Let’s bring this study of Psalm 1 to a close with an expanded paraphrase:

Oh, the happiness, many times over, of the man who does not temporarily or even casually imitate the plan of life of those living in the activity of sinful confusion, nor comes and takes his stand in the midst of those who miss the mark spiritually, nor settles down and dwells in the habitation of the blasphemous crowd. But (in contrast to that kind of lifestyle) in God’s Word he takes great pleasure, thinking upon it and pondering it every waking moment, day or night. The result: He will become treelike-firm, fruitful, unwithered, and fulfilling the goals in life that God has designed for him.

 

Not so, the ungodly! They are like worthless husks beaten about and battered by the winds of life (drifting and roaming without purpose). Therefore-on account of their inner worthlessness without the Lord-the ungodly are not able to stand erect on the day of judgment, nor do they possess any right to be numbered among the assembly of those declared righteous by God, because the Lord is inclined toward and bound to His righteous ones by special love and care; but the way of the one without the Lord will lead only to eternal ruin.

 

 

The Blessed Man Part 3

 

1. The Godly Man’s Prosperity

He Is Situated by the Waters (1:3)

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.

In the symbolism of Scripture, water for cleansing customarily represents the Word of God; water for drinking symbolizes the Spirit of God.

Meditation in Scripture releases the river of God’s Spirit so that our lives are refreshed and revitalized.

 

The Psalmist notes seven things that mark the life of the man who is situated by the river.

  

 His Distinction. (standing) he is like “a tree.”

 

His Durability: (stability) he is like a tree “planted.” Unlike the grass, which is mowed down in successive harvests, a tree sends its roots down deep into the soil. It has a deep, hidden life.

 

His Location: (place) he is planted “by the rivers of water. ” The droughts which bring bleakness and barrenness to others do not affect him. He has an unfailing source of life.

 

His Efficiency:(output) he “brings forth fruit.” His branches run over the wall he is a blessing to everyone.

 

His Graciousness (good behavior) he brings forth his fruit “in his season.” He is not a freak. There are times for fruit-bearing just as there are times for growth and times for rest. So long as we are abiding in the Spirit we need not worry about the fruit. It will come in its season.

 

His Endlessness (forever) “his leaf also shall not wither.” There are two trees outside. One has leaves on it.  They look very pretty, but soon they will fall to the ground. The other tree has fresh, green pine needles. It is an evergreen. That’s what we are to be like–not affected by the winter or the weather–always the same.

 

His Wealth: (success)  whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Everything will prosper–his family life, his business life, his church life, his personal life. Such is the godly man, the happy, happy man. For God!  It’s not name it and claim it, blab it and grab it, It’s for God’s glory, not your gain. You don’t give to get, if you do you give for the wrong reason. (expound?)

 

This is not a way to riches is the way to God’s blessing on your life Spiritually prosper

 

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. KJV

 

Hebrews13:5 Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” NAS

 

The Amplified Bible

3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the stream’s water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither and everything he does shall prosper [ and come to maturity]

The Blessed Man Part 2

1. The Godly Man’s Pleasure

He Is Satisfied with the Word (1:2)

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; (the word of God) and in his law (the word of God) doth he meditate day and night.

Delight = pleasure; desire; a valuable thing;

 

1. The Word of God Has Captured His Full Affection

“His delight is in the law of the LORD.”

He has a different counselor than the ungodly man,

He finds different company than the sinful man,

He has a different cause than the scornful man.

His first love is for the Word of God.

 

2. The Word of God Has Claimed His Full Attention

“And in His law doth he meditates day and night.” He does not pore over the books of the scornful; he pores over the Scriptures.

 

MEDITATION The practice of reflection or contemplation. The word meditation or its verb form, to meditate, is found mainly in the Old Testament.

NT:3191meletao (mel-et-ah’-o); from a presumed derivative of NT:3199; to take care of, i.e. (by implication) revolve in the mind:

KJV – imagine, (pre-) meditate.

(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

The Hebrew words behind this concept mean “to murmur, “a murmuring,” “sighing,” or “moaning.” This concept is reflected in Ps 1:2, where the “blessed man” meditates on God’s Law Day and night.

The psalmist also prayed that the meditation of his heart would be acceptable in God’s sight (Ps 19:14).

Joshua was instructed to meditate on the Book of the Law for the purpose of obeying all that was written in it (Josh 1:8).

The Greek word translated as meditate occurs only twice in the New Testament. In Luke 21:14 Jesus instructed His disciples not “to meditate beforehand” in answering their adversaries when the end of the age comes. The word may be understood in this passage as the idea of preparing a defense for a court appearance.

Luke 21:14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;  15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. NKJV

 

Paul, in 1 Tim 4:15, urged Timothy to meditate, or take pains with, the instructions he gives.

1 Tim 4:12-16

Take Heed to Your Ministry

12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.  NKJV

 

The idea of meditation is also found in Phil 4:8 and Col 3:2.

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Col 3:2 Set your affection (meditate) on things above, not on things on the earth.

The meditation the Psalmist advocates deliberately engages the conscious mind with the truths of God’s Word.

We come into God’s presence, open Bible in hand, and say, “Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth.”

Then we read the Bible in a disciplined, meaningful, meditating way, seeking to understand and appropriate its truths.

 

We ask the following questions, for instance, when meditating on the Bible:

Is there any sin here for me to avoid?

Is there any promise for me to claim?

Is there any victory to gain?

Is there any blessing to enjoy?

Is there any truth I have never seen before about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, about man, sin?

What is the main thing I can learn here?

 

That’s meditation, especially keeping a notepad and pen handy and writing down what the Holy Spirit brings to mind as we thus ponder (meditate) God’s Word. For writing maketh an exact man.

 

Bro Frank Holcomb said if it is worth remembering it’s worth writing down. Nothing wrong with having notes. If we cannot verbalize it, we haven’t learned anything.

The Amplified Bible

Psalms 1:2 But his delight and desire the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions. teachings of God) he habitually meditates (Ponders and studies) by day and by night.

 

The Blessed Man Part 1

 PRAY I encourage you to please seek God’s face before starting any Bible study.

Psalm 1:1-6 (NKJV)
¹ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
² But his delight is in the law of the LORD, (the word of God) And in His law he meditates day and night.
³ He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
⁴ The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
⁶ For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. NKJV

So, we start verse. 1

There are things we cannot do if we want to be blessed by God
*The Exclusions*

¹ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

THE GODLY MAN (1:1-3)

God finds a high note and begins there the book of Psalms begins with the word “blessed,” or as it can be rendered, “happy.”

 

In the original, it is not in the singular but in the plural.

We can render the first word of the Psalms:

“Oh the blessedness of the man, or even more Happy, happy is the man, or: Oh, the happiness of the man

 

or as Phil Robertson says’s “Happy, Happy, Happy”

BLESSED = ‘ashre “835”, “blessed; happy.” All but 4 of the 44 biblical occurrences of this noun are in poetical passages, with 26 occurrences in the Psalms and 8 in Proverbs.

Basically, this word notes the state of “prosperity” or “happiness” that comes when a superior bestows his favor (blessing) on one. In most passages, the one bestowing favor is God Himself: “Happy art thou, 0 Israel: who is like unto thee, 0 people saved by the Lord” <Deut. 33:29>.

The state that the blessed one enjoys does not always appear to be “happy”: “Behold, blessed [KJV, “happy”] is the man whom God correcteth: therefore, despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: for he maketh sore, and bindeth up…’ <Job 5:17-18>.

(from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) (Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas ‘Nelson Publishers)

 

Every blessing is a possible curse or pain

So,

“Happy, happy happy is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly who stands not in the way of sinners, who sit not in the seat of the scornful.

 

” Modem psychology tells us to emphasize the positive; God begins by emphasizing the negative.

The happy, happy, happy man is marked by the things he does not do, the places to which he does not go, the books he does not read, the movies he does not watch, by the company he does not keep. Surely that is a strange way to begin!

God begins this book not with the power of positive thinking, but with the power of negative thinking! In other words, a man who would be a happy, happy man begins by avoiding certain things in life, things which make it impossible for happiness to flourish because they are poisonous, destructive, and counterproductive.

 

1. The Godly Man’s Path

He Is Separated from the World (1:1)

The blessed man is not a widely ungodly man there is a definite difference

 

1. He Does Not Listen to the Ungodly Man

“Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.”

Walk

Walk is a term that suggests passing by or “a casual movement along the way.”

With its entire phrase, it implies the idea of one who does not try to be like or go through the casual motions” of wickedness.

The word translated counsel comes from the Hebrew term meaning hard, firm Here, it means a definite, firm, planned direction. Consider this paraphrase of verse 1:

Oh, the happiness, many times over, of the one who does not even casually go through the motions or imitate the plan of life of those who live in ungodliness. . ..

It is not uncommon to flirt with the wicked life, occasionally copying the gestures of one without Christ. We may joke or, refer to the fun and excitement of ungodliness-or laugh at our children’s questionable actions.

The psalmist warns us against that. He tells us that we will be abundantly happier if we steer clear of anything that could give the erosion of spiritual compromise a head start.

Time will tell…

1. He Does Not Listen to the Ungodly Man
2. He Does Not Linger with the Sinful Man

“Blessed is the man who., stands not in the way (or path) of sinners.”

Watch the progression first we walk the we stand.

Walk

Stand

The Hebrew word for “stand” has the idea of coming and taking one’s stand.

The word path or way comes from the word meaning “a marked-out path, a certain and precise way of life.”

Can you see the progressive deterioration toward more involvement in sinful living? The casual passerby slows down and before you know it, he takes his stand.

On the other hand, by taking a firm stand for righteousness, we will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water one that cannot be eroded by the winds of wickedness and unrighteousness.

“Blessed is the man who., stands not in the way of sinners.”

There is nothing wrong with being friendly with lost men and women, of course. Jesus was.

He made friends with all kinds of people, but He did so in order to lead them to a higher, holier way of life. They called Him “a friend of publicans and sinners.

If this verse teaches, we are not to stand in the way of sinners; we are not to participate in their sinful activities.

Abraham stood in the way of sinners when he went down to Egypt to escape the famine in Canaan, where he told Pharaoh that Sarah was his sister, and lost his testimony.

Lot stood in the way of sinners when he listened to the king of Sodom instead of the king of Salem, went back to Sodom, and lost his family.

Peter stood in the way of sinners when he warmed himself at the world’s fire during the trial of Jesus and consequently denied his Lord with oaths and curses.

2. He Does Not Listen to the Ungodly Man
3. He Does Not Linger with the Sinful Man

    3, He Does Not Laugh at the Scornful Man

“Blessed is the man who… sits not in the seat of the scornful.”

 

Walk

Stand

Watch the progression first we walk the we stand. and now we just sit and stay with them.

Sit

The next word the psalmist emphasizes is sit. This suggests a permanent settling down, an abiding, even permanent dwelling.

It is made even clearer using seat, meaning ‘habitation” or “a permanent residence.” Do not miss this:

His way of life is in the sphere of the scornful,” the one who continually makes light of that which is sacred.

 

Can you see the picture in the writer’s mind? We will be happy many times over if we maintain a pure walk, free from, even the slightest flirtation with evil. If we begin to walk in the counsel of the wicked,” it is easy to slip slowly into the habitation of the scornful.

“Blessed is the man who… sits not in the seat of the scornful.” The ungodly man has his counsel; the sinner has his way; the scornful has his seat.

Notice the progression: walking, standing, sitting. The one who is regularly influenced by people with little regard for God finds himself more and more at home with human viewpoints and misses God’s blessings.
Tony Evans Bible Commentary, The: Advancing God’s Kingdom Agenda.

Look at the progression in wickedness, the ungodly, the sinner, the scornful; and the corresponding progression in backsliding–walking, standing, sitting. As the company gets worse sin increases its hold.

What the Psalmist called the “seat” referred to what we would call the “chair” of the scornful. We speak, for instance, of the professor’s chair; the Hebrews would speak of their seat: “The scribes … sit in Moses’ seat” (Matthew 23:2), under the authority, that is, they were professors of the law.

The happy, happy man avoids the seat of the scornful. he avoids the classroom of the atheist and humanist who delight in shredding the faith of the unlearned.

1. The Godly Man’s Path

He Is Separated from the World (1:1)