#113 Psalm 1: Context
Introduction
In this paper I will consider Psalm 1:1–6 and its Context. We will explore the historical context, cultural context, and the literary context. Before moving on to understanding the significance of the passage and its application today. Psalm one contains six verses and we will consider each verse. Psalm one explores the theme of righteousness as opposed to wickedness and how that relates to your relationship to God. In a larger sense the Psalm also serves as an introduction to the book of Psalms as a whole. By providing the issues and themes that reverberate throughout the book and the rest of scripture.
Historical Context
Psalm one exists in the context of the ancient near east and especially Israel. It is not clear who wrote Psalm one or when. It is quite likely that the Psalms were written by many different authors over a long span of time before 500 BC. Then compiled together in an order that may not be by author or date of creation. There are clues in some of the Psalms with headers referencing King David, events from the life of King David, or others referencing the temple which was built after King David. Regardless of when the Psalms were written they have had a massive effect on how Christianity has formed over the past two thousand years. From Psalm twenty two which is echoed by Jesus on the cross, Psalm one which informs our understanding of sin and righteousness, Psalm twenty three which is commonly used as a prayer, and the many others which have informed how Christianity has made worship music.
Cultural Context
While the exact context of Psalm one is not clearly known the culture of ancient Israel is decently well understood. The Psalm makes reference to sitting, standing, walking, meditation, the law, and the Lord. Each of these ideas may be understood in its cultural context. In the context of teaching, unlike nowadays where teachers stand and students sit in the past it was the opposite. So we might understand standing in the context of learning, while sitting might be understood as teaching. Furthermore, the primary mode of transportation in the ancient near east was walking. When Psalm one references walking in verse one, we see a reference to going to a place they are directed. While meditation is based on the repetition of scripture as opposed to the presently popular meditation of clearing your mind that comes from India. The law of course would be the ten commandments and the further laws from Leviticus. And finally the Lord is God, the one true God found throughout the Bible.
Literary Context
Psalm one is one of the most important Psalms in the whole book. From a literary perspective it serves as an introduction along with Psalm two to the whole of the book of Psalms. Psalm one contrasts the righteous and the wicked showcasing that the book of Psalms is about the righteous, their relationship with God, and the issues between the righteous and the wicked.
Verse one shows tricolon which is reflected in verse three. In verse one (NASB) the blessed man does not “walk in the counsel of the wicked,” second “stand in the path of sinners,” thirdly “Nor sit in the seat of scoffers.” So this first tricolon contains walk, stand, and sit. Each word indicates a level of commitment to wicked ways. Where walking is heading towards wickedness. Standing is surrounding yourself with sinners. And sitting is to take part in scoffing and or other sinful acts. This tricolon is contrasted with another tricolon that is a metaphor of a blessed man in the form of a tree in verse three. We don’t know what type of tree is being referenced here, but we are given three characteristics that symbolize a blessed man. That is “a tree firmly planted by streams of water,” secondly “yields its fruit in its season,” and thirdly “leaf does not wither.” each of these characteristics are opposed to the first tricolon. The first characteristic of walking contrasts with that of a firmly planted tree. A person who walks in the counsel of the wicked go with the flow, whereas the firmly planted tree does not go with the flow of the river but is nourished by it. Secondly the standing contrasts with yielding a fruit. As the standing is in this case a form of absorbing or taking but the tree is giving and producing fruit. Thirdly is sitting this is contrasted with a leaf that does not wither. Those who sit in the seat of scoffers waste away while those like the tree are thriving.
There are many other comparisons in Psalm one that could be made as well. For example the metaphor of the tree contrasts with the chaff in verse four. While verse five also contests with verse one. Where the sitting and standing is a choice of with the wicked and sinners or without. Verse six also shows a contrast between the fate of the righteous and the wicked. Furthermore, verse 1-3 contrasts with verses 4-6. In verses 1-3 it starts with what the blessed are not like and ends with what the blessed are like. Meanwhile verses 4-6 says what the wicked are not like in the beginning and ends with what the fate of the wicked will be.
