Psalms in the Key of Life (Part 1)

This upcoming week we are going to begin a new series call Psalms in the Key of Life! I am very excited to begin this study through a few selected Psalms over the next 8 weeks. The idea behind the sermon series is that our God prepares us and walks with us through every situation in life. God is our great sustainer and His mercy and compassion never fails. My prayer is that this series ignites a passion in our hearts to throw ourselves into the regular study of the Psalms and discover the depths of God’s great love for His people.

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For our first study we will explore Psalm 1. The sermon will cover all 6 verses but as you prepare for our corporate time of worship I want you to focus specifically on verse 1-2. How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.

In these 2 verses David strikes a cord of reality that we all need to understand. Each day our lives are shaped by something. We are the objects of some type of influence. The prescription that he offers for this rhythm of life is the daily practice of both avoidance and acceptance. The key to this is obviously having the wisdom to discern the difference between good influences and bad.

David’s son Solomon wrote these similar words in Proverbs 4:14-15
Do not enter the path of the wicked
And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
Avoid it, do not pass by it;
Turn away from it and pass on.

The problem with avoidance is that the natural bent of our heart and normal direction of our society is opposed to God’s direction. One of my favorite Puritan pastor / theologian of the 1600’s is Richard Baxter. Let your heart listen to the council of this man. Remember that every sinful desire is a rebelling of your wills against the will of God; and that it is his will that must govern and dispose of all, and your wills must be conformed to his.

The beautiful reality of Psalm 1 is that God did not abandon us to our natural tendencies. God did not leave us as orphans to defend ourselves and forge our own direction. The amazing reality is that God has graciously given us His word for direction. As we meditate on the law of the Lord day and night our soul will find nourishment and the ultimate hope of God! Read the remaining verses of Psalm 1 and rejoice in His great work.

Pastor Billy