Psalms 1 & 2 - Contemporary

In one paragraph

This message worked through Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 together as preparation for an upcoming series in Hebrews. Pastor Mark traced a Hebrew literary structure running through both psalms and showed how it points forward to Jesus as the anointed king, priest, and prophet. The sermon ended by connecting that structure to the word "Abba" and the invitation to become a child of God. Pastor Mark opened by...

Read together

1. Psalm 8:3-4, 9 quoted at the opening before the first song
2. Romans 15 quoted as God being the source of hope, filling believers with joy and peace through trust in him
3. 1 John 4:4 quoted before a song: the one in you is greater than the one in the world
4. Psalm 34 referenced as the previous week's study, noting David singing alone then calling others to exalt God together
5. Psalm 1 read and expounded in full as the first half of the morning's two-psalm study
6. Psalm 2 read and expounded in full as the second half of the morning's two-psalm study
7. 2 Peter 2:9-10 quoted to affirm that God rescues the godly and holds the unrighteous for punishment, especially those who despise authority
8. 2 Peter 3 referenced for the statement that God is not slow in keeping his promise but is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance
9. Mark 14:36 Jesus in the garden saying Abba Father, asking that the cup be removed yet submitting to the Father's will
10. Galatians 4:6 quoted that God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts crying Abba Father
11. Romans 8:15 quoted that believers have not received a spirit of slavery but the spirit of adoption by which they cry Abba Father
12. John 1:12-13 quoted that as many as received Christ were given the right to become children of God, born not of blood nor the will of man but of God

Talk about it

1. The pastor walked through Psalm 1 as a description of the righteous rather than a list of rules, saying it shows who the righteous are, not just what they do. How does that distinction change the way you read passages like this one?
2. Psalm 1 puts the righteous person alongside a tree firmly planted by streams of water and the wicked person alongside chaff blown by the wind. Which image do you find yourself identifying with most honestly right now, and why?
3. The pastor pointed out that 'the Lord knows the way of the righteous' takes on a fuller meaning when you read it as a New Testament believer, because Jesus walked that way himself. How does knowing that Jesus literally walked the path of the righteous change how you relate to him as Lord?
4. Psalm 2 describes the nations plotting together to throw off God's authority, and the pastor asked whether we see that happening. Where do you see people, or even yourself, resisting God's authority in ways that feel reasonable at the time but are ultimately vain?
5. The pastor ended with Jesus in the garden saying 'not what I will but whatever you will,' and connected that to the cry of Abba, Father. What does it look like practically for you to move from praying for your own will to praying the way Jesus prayed there?