Two Psalms as an Overview

        God has revealed Himself to us through His Word.  In the Old Testament was often described with two groupings of writings inspired by God.  These two groupings were and are still called the Law and the Prophets.  It is only fitting then that the Hebrew book of Psalms begins with a psalm representative of these two groupings of inspired writings.  

         Psalm 1 and 2 are interesting because we don’t know exactly who God used to give them to us.  Authorship is not known on these two psalms.  Even though we do not know the authors - we can see God’s hand in giving these two psalms as the first and second in the Psalter.  Psalm 1 is about the Law of the Lord, while Psalm 2 is about a prophetic warning concerning the raging of the nations.  Psalm 1 speaks to us about the blessing that comes to the one who delights in God’s Law, while Psalm 2 is about the problems that will come to those who reject God’s Anointed.  The Law and the Prophets each have their own representation in Psalms - and it is what we read to start God’s hymn and prayer book.

         Psalm 1 addresses the Law.  The song/prayer speaks of how blessed one is to not follow the world - but delight in God’s Law.  It is an emotional psalm.  God is communicating and revealing to us that the blessed and happy life is the life that is lived according to His Law/Word. God promises spiritual vitality and prosperity to those who meditate and live according to His Word.  

           Psalm 2 addresses a problem - something that is seen often in the prophets.  Why are the nations in an uproar?  Why are the peoples devising an empty thing?  Why are they rebelling against God’s anointed and turning against the Messiah?  God offers strong rebuke and a revelation of Himself that should make the nations tremble.  He also gives strong counsel to honor the Son - Whom He has enthroned and given honored Himself.  

       These two psalms lay the groundwork for the rest of this 150 chapter volume in God’s Word.  We see that mankind is blessed when turning to God’s Word and to God’s Anointed.  Psalm 1 starts with a blessing and ends with a curse; Psalm 2 begins with a curse and ends with a blessing.  Psalm 1 shows us the meditation of the godly, while Psalm 2 reveals the meditation of the ungodly.  There is much to be learned before we finish this longest book of the Bible - but even as we begin we are reminded that life is about what we do with the Word of God and the Son of God.  A good way to start and a wise thing to remember.