Psalm for September 20, 2009

Psalm 1
• This psalm is an introduction to the book of Psalms; like many Psalms, this text creates a contrast; it contrasts the fate of the faithful and the unfaithful. In the Hebrew Scriptures there is a thread of thought that is called “The Doctrine of the Two Ways.” There is the way of faithfulness which leads to life and blessing and good things. There is the way of evil which leads to death and curses and bad things. In this way of thinking, being good leads to good things and bad things happen to bad people. We hear the modern version of this doctrine as people find fault in those who know misfortune.

• The doctrine of the Two Ways is challenged in other parts of Scripture: the Book Of Job , the Suffering Servant of Isaiah, the suffering and crucifixion of the Righteous One Jesus…all these and more speak of suffering that in unearned. It rains on both the just and the unjust.

• Do you think that suffering is always deserved? Is good fortune always a reward for being good? Or do bad things happen to good people?

• In Psalm 1: Those who do not have God in their life perish because of being outside God's law, consequences of their own actions and choices. God does not punish them but their choices bring about unwanted results.

• Those who do have God in their life, who dwell in God's law: "They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season".

• The tree/stream imagery is much like a sponge soaking up water - we absorb, take in God's word. But better than a sponge, which just absorbs and then is simply saturated, a tree soaking water bears fruit - bears results -bears change because of God's word.

• Do you know “fruitful people” who have soaked up the word of God? Has living with God born fruit in you; are you changed as a result of living in faith?