The Art of Life Bible - Flipbook - Page 20
Psalms
Book One (Psalms 1–41)
1
7 The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son .*
Today I have become your Father .*
8 Only ask, and I will give you the
nations as your inheritance,
the whole earth as your possession .
9 You will break* them with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots .’”
Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers .
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night .
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season .
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do .
10 Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling .
4 But not the wicked!
12 Submit to God’s royal son,* or he
They are like worthless chaff,
scattered by the wind .
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment .
Sinners will have no place among the godly .
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction .
Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time
with futile plans?
2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one .
3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God .”
2
will become angry,
and you will be destroyed in the
midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant .
But what joy for all who take refuge in him!
3
1 O Lord, I have so many enemies;
so many are against me .
2 So many are saying,
“God will never rescue him!”
you are my glory, the one who
holds my head high .
4 I cried out to the Lord,
and he answered me from his
holy mountain .
The Lord scoffs at them .
5 Then in anger he rebukes them,
terrifying them with his fierce fury .
my chosen king on the throne
in Jerusalem,* on my holy mountain .”
Interlude*
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs .
6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed
A psalm of David, regarding the time David
fled from his son Absalom.
Interlude
2:6 Hebrew on Zion. 2:7a Or Son; also in 2:12. 2:7b Or Today I reveal you as
my son. 2:9 Greek version reads rule. Compare Rev 2:27. 2:12 The meaning
of the Hebrew is uncertain. 3:2 Hebrew Selah. The meaning of this word is
uncertain, though it is probably a musical or literary term. It is rendered Interlude
throughout the Psalms.
Pine
Pinus halepensis
Read Psalm 1:1-6, especially 1:3.
The Aleppo pine is native to the
Mediterranean region and was
one of the coniferous trees used
for building ships and other
structures. There is debate about
the Hebrew words that point to
the pine tree, though the modern
Hebrew word ’oren is likely one of
them (see Isaiah 44:14). The Aleppo pine is a fast-growing conifer
that grows to a height of between
fifty and eighty feet. Today in
Israel it is mostly found in planted
forests. The Aleppo pine is a popular ornamental tree, but it is also
used as a source of timber.
The psalmist compares the
godly person to a productive evergreen tree growing in an optimal
location. Though the species is
not identified, in this picture the
tree is well-protected and cared
for by its creator. And as a result,
it is a rich resource for everyone
nearby, providing shelter, timber,
firewood, and fruit. What a beautiful picture of the rich blessings
that come through those who
trust and obey God.
See more about pine trees on
pages 812 and 945.
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