Day #120 | "Treasuring the Psalms"

LOOK | WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Read 1 Kings 2:1-12, 1 Chronicles 29:26-30, and Psalms 1-2

THINK | WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1. The Gateway to the Psalms: Take Refuge in the Righteous Son (Psalms 1-2). In studies of the book of Psalms, the opening two psalms have long been recognized as setting the theme(s) for the whole book, with the entire collection of the Psalms making up one unified whole. In that way of thinking, Psalm 1 introduces us to the righteous figure, starting with "Blessed is the one [i.e. the righteous figure] who... delights in the law of the LORD" (Psalm 1:1-2), and closing the next Psalm by ending off with "Blessed are all who take refuge in the Son" (Psalm 2:12). The two occurrences of "blessed" at the beginning of Psalm 1 and the end of Psalm 2 in that case act as a kind of "book end" showing the unified message of everything in between. In context, then, the next Psalm (Psalm 3) is written by David and starts off on a down note, to show us that David is not this figure and that we should look for one who is greater than David.

2. Blessed is the man who delights in the law of the Lord (Psalm 1). God's Word is good, and it is the one true guide for all those whose eyes are set on eternal things. It is a testimony to God's work and intention for all mankind. It is called God's "law" here (or Torah, which has a wider meaning), but our other reading in 1 Kings 2 calls it by many other names: God's statutes, commandments, rules, and testimonies (2 Kings 2:3). Those who drink deeply from the wisdom of God's Word are firmly planted on the shores of life, nourished and equipped for life.

3. Blessed are all those who take refuge in God's Son (Psalm 2). This Psalm tells us a story of two kingdoms: the kingdoms of the earth, and the kingdom of God and his Messiah (the word for "anointed" in Psalm 2:2). This anointed figure is variously called God's Messiah/Anointed (Psalms 2:2), the king (Psalm 2:6). God's begotten Son (Psalm 2:7, 12), and the refuge who brings blessing (Psalm 2:12). While we might expect that this would be David or Solomon, the stories of both men show us that we should expect someone else--someone who is now known to us as Jesus of Nazareth, who truly is the begotten Son of God, who is descended from David, and who will rule from David's throne over the nations--Blessed are all who take refuge in Him (Psalm 2:12).

4. The death of David, and the need for a better David (1 Kings 2, 1 Chronicles 29:26-30). The historical reading accomplishes here what Psalm 3 accomplishes in the Book of Psalms: it shows us that we should wait for another. David died. And in dying, he sought vengeance with those who had made peace with him. Later on, Jesus, the descendant of David, would make peace with those who were his enemies, and call near those who had condemned him to death. Jesus is the true and better David, the better Solomon, the better king. He is the truly righteous one who fulfilled God's law and walked in it completely, and he is the true begotten Son of God who will give us rest.

Note: the book pictured above is Treasuring the Psalms by Ian Vallaincourt. If you haven't bought the book yet, I would encourage you to do so!

DO | HOW DO WE RESPOND?

How can we respond in our worship, attitude, and actions? IN OUR WORSHIP we can look to Jesus rather than to impressive leaders who seem to have all the answers. Just like David, even the best leaders will let us down. Only Jesus can live up to the standards required to truly bring peace to his people and bring rest to the weary.

PRAY | HOW DOES THIS BRING US TO GOD?

Whether in response to anything pointed out here, or to something else in your Bible reading time, take a few moments before you close up your Bible to pray in response to God. If you need a format for prayer, both the ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), CALL (Confess, Ask, Love, Listen), and PRAY (Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield) methods are helpful ways to stay consistent.

-Sean