Session 1
Mini-Segment 1
Instructions: This section includes Session 1, the mini-segment of this lecture.
- Read Psalms 1:1-3 and the overview below.
- Watch the 5-minute segment of this lecture.
- Then assess your understanding of the principles by completing the research activities provided below.
Overview
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. (Ps. 1:3)
One of the things that has hampered many new believers is the fact that they have no idea of what is expected of them. They are aware that they are expected to be good, but they have no indication of what it looks like.
When we were made by our Creator He said that we were made in His image and in His likeness. In this Psalm, the imagery of the new believer is clear and timeless. Everyone can picture the beauty of a well-nourished tree, and no one has ever been critical of a reliable fruit-bearing tree. This image is what God sees the new believer to be like.
While the author of Psalm 1 is unknown and cannot be assuredly attributed to David, the Psalmist who wrote this segment of this collection of praises and prayers that we see in Psalms would have lived in a time period that reflected the phase and conditions of the redemption plan that defined David's lifestyle. Therefore, Psalms 1 still captures the wisdom needed for the righteous person as David would have understood it. Additionally, Psalms 2 that follows it introduces the reader to the Davidic covenant, which heralds the reign of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, and the power of His Kingdom (Baylis, 2013).
Key Points of Psalm 1:
- Verses one and two show where we were and where we moved to. Many believers do not see themselves as being righteous in the eyes of God, and many do not recognize the components that are deeply imbedded into their very being.
- The rulership of the Holy Spirit and the daily guidance by the Word are key factors.
- “And whatsoever, he doeth shall prosper.” This confidence that God has in us is foreign to many believers, and this should be implanted into the heart as early as possible.