Psalms 1+2

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will be destroyed.
Psalms 1:6

Something that I noticed from Psalms 1+2 is the importance of closeness with God.  In verse 3, this idea is expressed metaphorically: “They are like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaves do not whither – whatever they do prospers.”  The causal chain of this verse starts with proximity.  Everything good that happens to this tree is based on its closeness to its source of water.

While trees cannot move towards the stream, we can move closer to God by delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on it day and night. (v2)  This correlates with the practice of pursuing holiness.  That while we have heard such things, doing them is paramount.

The psalmist’s view of God’s sovereignity is one I admire and would like to grow into.  In chapter two, he celebrates God’s control, and thus His preeminent victory over His enemies.  This same view seems to be shared by Jesus in his wilderness temptation.  The Devil offered him the nations, and Jesus, recognizing that while Satan had the authority to give them, God still held higher authority; Jesus would serve God alone.

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