Monday, June 2, 2008

Psalm 1:1

The name "Psalm" comes from the Greek "psalmos", which is a translation of the Hebrew "mizmor" (a song with the accompaniment of a stringed instrument) Jewish Study Bible.

The Hebrew name for the book of Psalms is Tehillim, meaning songs of praise. Tehilim has the root word hallel, meaning "praise."

It is the first book in the section of the Tanakh known as the Writings. Jesus refered to the third section of the Scriptures as the Psalms. Luke 24:44

1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. (NKJV)

Blessed: The Hebrew word is "ashrei." The JSB translates this as "happy". Ashrei comes from the root word 'asher', which means happy. And Asher is the name given to the second son of Jacob and Zilpah (Leah's handmaid). Gen 30:13. "Then Leah said, 'I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed.' So she called his name Asher." (Emphasis added).

Why then say "blessed"? Because happy, as we may commonly understand it, doesn't quite convey the meaning of 'ashrei.' Happiness is more than an emotion. What is true happiness? I would submit that happiness is a sense of peace or contentment. It's being satisfied with what you have rather than hoping for what you don't have. It's loving God and loving your neighbor. It's not worrying about the past or the future. Who by worrying can add a single hour to his life? It's not hating your brother in your heart. It's not seeking revenge or bearing a grudge but forgiving those who trespass against you. And of such a person, you would call them blessed.

the man. Why not the woman? Are women prohibited from meditating on God's Word and thus being 'happy', or 'blessed'? Rather, this should be taken in the sense of any person who wants to study Scripture may do so. In Biblical times, it was incumbent on fathers to teach their sons the Scriptures. Daughters did not have to follow all 613 mitzvot and since they were exempted from certain laws were not expected to have to follow all of them either. But, that which is not prohibited is permitted. Nowhere does Torah forbid a man from teaching his daughter Torah. Nor does Torah forbid a woman from learing Torah on her own.

walk...stand...sit. Notice the progression. If you follow after ungodly people, you will end up standing with them and eventually sitting down with them. Do not walk in the way that is not God's way. What is God's way? Torah. God stands in the godly assembly, amidst the judges, he judges. Psalm 82. To stand is to pronounce judgment. Standing is also a way of showing respect. The sheriff will announce "all rise" whenever the judge enters or leaves the courtroom.
Do not pronounce wicked judgments. And do not respect those who do. What about sitting? What comes to mind is eating. Usually people will sit down to a meal. What is the Psalmist saying here? Have nothing to do with those who mock and scorn God. Do not eat with them. Do not conduct business with them. And note that once you are sitting, it is that much harder to get back up and walk away than if you are already standing.

Note that those who abstain from the path of the wicked will be truly happy, or blessed.

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