The Introduction
The Psalter may be regarded as the heart’s echo to the speech of God, the manifold music of its windswept strings as God’s breath sweeps across them. Expositors Bible Commentary.
The Book of Psalms is divided into five, very uneven, sections.
The first book contains forty-one psalms; 1:1-41:13; most written by King David;
The second, thirty-one; 42:1-72:20; most of these are written by King David;
The third, seventeen; 73:1-89:52; written by Asaph;
The fourth, seventeen; 90:1-106:48; chiefly anonymous;
The fifth, forty-four; 107:1-150:6; about three-fifths anonymous and two-fifths written by King David. Pulpit Commentary.
The first book contains forty-one psalms; 1:1-41:13; most written by King David;
The second, thirty-one; 42:1-72:20; most of these are written by King David;
The third, seventeen; 73:1-89:52; written by Asaph;
The fourth, seventeen; 90:1-106:48; chiefly anonymous;
The fifth, forty-four; 107:1-150:6; about three-fifths anonymous and two-fifths written by King David. Pulpit Commentary.
The Psalter is also a Pentateuch, the echo of the Mosaic Pentateuch from the heart of Israel; it is the fivefold book of the congregation to Jehovah, as the Law is the fivefold book of Jehovah to the congregation. Pulpit Commentary.
The "books" are severally terminated by a doxology, not exactly the same in every instance, but of a similar character, which in no case forms any part of the psalm whereto it is attached, but is simply a mark of division. Pulpit Commentary.
It has been suggested that the first Psalm is not one of the Psalms but rather an overview of the Book of Psalms. Psalm 1 contrasts the blessings on the righteous with the curse on those who live unholy lives. In a very general way, one could also see the Book of Psalms in that light.
The title of ... many of the psalms is as a key hung ready at the door, to open it, and let us into the entertainments of it; when we know upon what occasion a psalm was penned we know the better how to expound it. Matthew Henry.
The title of ... many of the psalms is as a key hung ready at the door, to open it, and let us into the entertainments of it; when we know upon what occasion a psalm was penned we know the better how to expound it. Matthew Henry.
The following quote is very rich and speaks volumes of how we can get the most out of the Book of Psalms.
The subject matter of this book is exceeding great and excellent; many of the psalms respect the person, offices, and grace of Christ; his sufferings and death, resurrection, ascension, and session at the right hand of God; and so are exceeding suitable to the Gospel dispensation. The whole book (of Psalms) is a rich mine of grace and evangelical truths, and a large fund of spiritual experience; and is abundantly suited to every case, state, and condition, that the church of Christ, or particular believers, are in at any time. Gill's Expository Commentary.
Psalm 1
Many translations put verse one into the past tense; eg. the man who has not walked.
Blessed (O the happiness of the man! Barnes Com.), is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. 1:1.
This verse speaks of gradual degradation;
But his delight is only in the Law of Jehovah; and in His Law he meditates day and night. 1:2 In contrast to being entertained by those who mock Jehovah the person who is spiritually prosperous will find his "enjoyment" in the pages of the Bible. Like Jeremiah, the spiritually prosperous person might be forced to spend his time separated from his peers and business associates; all the better, for it gives him more time to meditate on the goodness and grace of Jehovah. I did not sit in the circle of mockers, nor rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand; for You have filled me with indignation. Jer. 15:17.
Blessed (O the happiness of the man! Barnes Com.), is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. 1:1.
This verse speaks of gradual degradation;
- from walking in the advice given by the wicked
- to standing where the sinners feel at home and finally
- sitting, at ease, in a movie house or in front of a TV watching while the scoffers on the screen ridicule Christ, our Redeemer; or sneer at Jehovah and verbally drag Christ's Church through the dirt of the world.
But his delight is only in the Law of Jehovah; and in His Law he meditates day and night. 1:2 In contrast to being entertained by those who mock Jehovah the person who is spiritually prosperous will find his "enjoyment" in the pages of the Bible. Like Jeremiah, the spiritually prosperous person might be forced to spend his time separated from his peers and business associates; all the better, for it gives him more time to meditate on the goodness and grace of Jehovah. I did not sit in the circle of mockers, nor rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand; for You have filled me with indignation. Jer. 15:17.
Therefore the wicked shall not stand (be acquitted, Jameson, Fausset and Brown)in the judgment, ... sinners (will not be found) in the congregation of the righteous (in heaven).1:5 Sinners won't have an excuse on the day of judgment, and they won't have a place with the people of God. 1:5 Contemporary English.
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