Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by water and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3 NIV
Today and for the next few days we read some undated Psalms that are perhaps written after the exile. If one needed to pick an approximate date of the writing, 440 BC might be a reasonable choice for the writing of this group of Psalms.
Recollect that Psalm 90, a Psalm of Moses, was the first Psalm we read on March 23. This Psalm considered the shortness of life and we read that it was written shortly before Moses death, near the time the Israelites entered Canaan, about 1400BC. Doing the math, we realize that the Book of Psalms was written over about 1000 years, a millennium. The Study Bible advises that the Psalms were compiled in the 3rd century BC and as a group were used in the temple of Zerubbabel and Herod, the second temple as a prayer book.
The Psalms have given us wisdom; provided us examples of prayers of joy, thanksgiving, need, and have given us insight into how leaders of the Israelites sought God. The study Bible has a heading to the table of the 5 books or divisions of the Psalms: "Instruction in the Godly Life under the Reign of God."
The writers of the Psalms were acknowledging God as King and, in a very real sense, the writings illustrate seeking the kingdom of God first.
Today's beautiful verse acknowledges Old Testament Law and many prophecies of earlier and latter prophets. These verses teach that one who would use these as a prayer need to shape their lives according to the Law and take refuge, delight, or find confidence and joy in Yahweh.
Also consider that if we were reading the Bible in cannonical order, this passage would immediatley follow the end of the book of Job. In that place, the verse illustrates God's steadfastness and truth in His promises. Recollet; Job suffered greatly, clung to his faith in his suffering and did receive great blessing for his delight in the Lord during his time of great loss and suffering.
Where are we told by advertisements, media, and other sources to seek blessing, delight and prosperity?
Where do you look for blessing, delight and prosperity?
Pray for the Spirit's guidance and wisdom to be committed to a growing relationship with God.
In Christ,
David P
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