Lectionary Thoughts: Psalms 1-2

The first two psalms in the Book of Psalms are unique and tell us something profound about God’s sovereign providence and care while gently directing our attention to Jesus.

Unlike the following 148 psalms, the first two psalms are not prayers, properly speaking. They are not addressed to God. But they do remind us of two important aspects of God’s loving oversight of His creation.

Psalm 1 is intensely personal and reminds us that God cares for every individual, and promises blessing to every single person who will send their roots down deep into Him who is the living water. And do not fail to note, and savor, the very first word of the Book of Psalms: Blessed.

In contrast, Psalm 2 describes God’s sovereign control over nations; nations whose pathetic attempts to thwart the LORD’s plans only cause Him to laugh in derision. And thereby are we assured that the blessedness promised in Psalm 1 cannot be hindered, prevented or disrupted by anyone or anything (including nations!)

As Eugene Peterson notes:

“Psalms 1 and 2 pave the way. They get us ready to pray. The Psalms are an edited book. All these prayers were collected and arranged at one point in Israel’s history, and then Psalm 1 and 2 were set as an entrance to them, pillars flanking the way into prayer. We are not unceremoniously dumped into the world of prayer, we are courteously led across an ample porch, a way that provides space and means by which we are adjusted  to the realities of prayer. Way is a significant word in the first two psalms. Psalms 1 and 2 are a pair, working together to put our feet on the path that goes from the non-praying world in which we are habitually distracted and intimidated, into the praying world where we come to attention and practice adoration.” (Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer, pp. 23-24)

Jesus is the living water that gives us life (John 7:37) and causes us to bear fruit, even in times of drought. And Jesus is the Son who sits at the right hand of the Father ruling the nations and chastening all who oppose his loving rule and reign (Acts 2:22-36; Eph. 1:22; Philip. 2:9-10; Heb. 2:7-8).

GH