As we approach this beautiful season we call Autumn of Fall, may we approach this changing of the season, with a heart ❤️ of Joy and Thanksgiving, (In spite of our circumstances). Every day is a gift from God, whether you know it or not. Take the time, to remember, all the things that God has blessed you with, and not the circumstance you find yourself in. Whether you know God or not, take the time in a quiet place and seek him out. Ask him to reveal himself to you in a personal way. He love us, in spite of ourselves. He care so much, that HE created us in his own image. He gave his only son, to take our place before him, that we might stand before him, without blemish. Is that not reason to rejoice, I ask you. If you can take the time, in your stillness, take a moment and listen to the song below of Gratitude, by Brandon Lake, but more importantly, reflect on his Word, from the Psalm 100. I this will be a blessing it is for you, as much as it is to me.
We can trust him, if we only let him in. He is THE WAY, the TRUTH and Life! Father, forgive us, when we won’t take you hand, and allow you to guide us, walk with us, and be there for us, in our daily struggles. May you guide us in the path that is everlasting. Your promises as are true and righteous. Even though, we walk through the Valley of the shadow of Death, you are with us!
All credit to the John MacArthur Study Bible and to the Words of God.
3:18 announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets. Cf. Ge 3:15; Ps 22; Is 53; Zec 12:10. †
3:19 repent and return. See notes on 2:38; Mt 3:2. “Return” is a frequent NT word that relates to sinners turning to God (9:35; 14:15; 26:18, 20; Lk 1:16, 17; 2Co 3:16; 1Pe 2:25). your sins … wiped away. Cf. Ps 51:9; Is 43:25; 44:22. “Wiped away” compares forgiveness to the complete wiping away of ink from the surface of a document (Col 2:14). ‡
3:19–21 times of refreshing … period of restoration of all things. “Times” or “period” means epoch, era, or season. Two descriptions are given to the coming era of the millennial kingdom. This is clear because they bracket the reference to Jesus Christ being sent from God to bring those times. Peter points to Christ’s earthly reign (see notes on 1:7; cf. Ro 11:26). The period will be marked by all kinds of blessings and renewal (cf. Is 11:6–10; 35:1–10; Eze 34:26; 44:3; Joel 2:26; Mt 19:28; Rev 19:1–10).
1–6 This wisdom psalm basically functions as an introduction to the entire book of Psalms. Its theme is as big as the whole Bible because it tells of people, paths, and ultimate destinations (for a significant parallel see Jer 17:5–8). By two cycles of contrast, Ps 1 separates all people into their respective spiritual categories:
I. By observation, all people are separated ethically (1:1–4)
A. A Picture of the Godly (1:1–3)
B. A Picture of the Ungodly (1:4)
II. By outcome, all people are separated judicially (1:5, 6)
A. The Failure of Ungodly People (1:5)
B. The Fruition of Lifestyles (1:6)
1. Recognition of the godly (1:6a)
2. Ruination of the ungodly (1:6b) ‡
1:1 blessed. From the perspective of the individual, this is a deep-seated joy and contentment in God; from the perspective of the believing community, it refers to redemptive favor (cf. the blessings and cursings of Dt 27:11–28:6). not walk … Nor stand … Nor sit. The “beatitude” man (cf. Mt 5:3–11) is first described as one who avoids such associations as these which exemplify sin’s sequential downward drag. †
1:2 his delight … in the law. Switching to a positive description, the spiritually “happy” man is characterized by the consistent contemplation and internalization of God’s Word for ethical direction and obedience. †
1:3 like a tree. Because of the mostly arid terrain of Israel, a lush tree served as a fitting symbol of blessing in the OT. planted. Lit. “transplanted.” Trees do not plant themselves; neither do sinful people transport themselves into God’s kingdom. Salvation is His marvelous work of grace (cf. Is 61:3; Mt 15:13). Yet, there is genuine responsibility in appropriating the abundant resources of God (cf. Jer 17:8), which lead to eventual productivity. †
1:4 The wicked are not so. This is an abrupt contrast, lit. “Not so the wicked!” chaff. A frequent OT word picture from harvest time for what is unsubstantial, without value, and worthy only to be discarded. †
1:5 Therefore … not stand. “Therefore” introduces the strong conclusion that the ungodly will not be approved by God’s judgment. †
1:6 the LORD knows. This is far more than recognition; the Lord “knows” everything. In this context, the reference is to personal intimacy and involvement with His righteous ones (contra. Mt 7:23; cf. 2Ti 2:19). the way of. The repetition of this phrase picks up on the “path” imagery so characteristic of this psalm. It refers to one’s total course of life, i.e., lifestyle. Here these two courses arrive at the ways of life and death, as in Dt 30:19; Jer 21:8; cf. Mt 7:13, 14. will perish. One day the wicked person’s way will end in ruin; a new order is coming and it will be a righteous order. So Ps 1 begins with the “blessed” and ends with those who “perish” (cf. Pss 9:5, 6; 112:10).
Living Waters 