…Lingering on the Sunday Message… 10/11/09

Psalm 119:1

Continuing on with the expositional study of this Psalm, we began with the reading of the first two verses.  The focus of the message, though, was simply verse one.

I know this post is a little tardy, so maybe we can consider this a midweek reminder of some of things that were preached last Sunday.  The prior week, as we began this study, we examined many of this psalm’s traits when considered as a whole; structure, theme, etc.  Now, as we begin the verse by verse exposition, we’re going to take ‘chunks’ of like content and look at them piece by piece.  This week, suffice to say, the chunk was small.  But although a single verse has not much size, verse one projects great stature.

With clarity, the author begins to set the tone.  Indeed, verse one sets the tone for the remaining one hundred and seventy five verses.  Spurgeon likened this verse to a thesis statement.  It works as a brief argument for the entire body of work.  The form of the verse is that of a benediction.  Simply stated, a benediction is a declaration of something good: “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!” (ESV).  Clearly, blessing follows walking in the law.

“Walk” is a metaphor that is used often in scripture.  It refers broadly to the activities of daily living.  Summarily verse one shows us how to find balance and order in our lives on a daily basis; the remainder of the Psalm describes how to enter in.

Being blessed or blessedness is a state of being in total peace with the things of God.  Does it equate with happiness?  Surely, yes; in fact true happiness cannot be acheived apart from the means of Christ.  So, being blessed is being happy.  But what is true happiness.  Is it freedom from sorrow and discomfort?  Resoundingly, no!  There will be many difficult events and circumstances the Lord will walk us through.  Happiness in the Christian context means we have the God given ability to deal with the lifelong traverses of body and soul.  And, indeed, Christian blessedness or happiness must be able to deal with and overcome one’s sin and pain of the past.

The world offers position, fame, money, idleness; which of those would you take over God’s law?  Proverbs 14:12; “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”  Also, Jeremiah 6:16; “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”

Where is this Blessedness we seek, found?  In a word,….Gospel.  Christ holds the key!