Please make yourself at home in our Family Circle. Reciting a favorite Bible text together is our tradition. Don’t worry if you forget a word or two, we’ll help each other out. Today includes Psalm 1. The poetic translation of the beautiful Shakespearian style King James, “Blessed is the man who walks (eth) not in the counsel of the wicked (ungodly), Nor stand (eth) in the way of the sinner Nor sits (eth) in the seat of the scoffer; But his delight is in the law of the Lord his God and on his law doth he meditate day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the river of water, that yields it’s (his) fruit in due season, and its leaf does not whither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Whatsoever he does, shall prosper.)” “The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous, For the LORD (the capitalized meaning, personal YAHWEH) knows the righteous, but the way of the way of the wicked shall perish,”
Notice the godly tree does not envy, boast, or lack self-control. The tree didn’t look at the taller, skinnier, fatter, shorter trees and reach for the sun, trying to dance like a ballerina. This would have reduced the water of life from sustenance. No, it stayed in the river of revitalizing Life. In my mind’s eye this was a massive weeping willow, and the one at the bottom of the hill was so much larger than the tree at the top. The viewer cannot see the water beneath nourishing the tree and may believe the tree on the top of the hill more important. Yet the tree on to top could blow away in a strong storm.
John Tabb’s commentary’; admonishes, “Be the tree, not the Chaff.” I prefer, “Be the tree, not the dust.” The tree planted by the water is an act of purpose 2 ways: the way of life or death. Death is much more than blatant life-risking choices. It may occur from mocking, gossiping destroying another’s esteem and reputation. It could be a Ponzi scheme promising easy returns on your hard earned money. On the other hand Life is a delight with intentional mediation. Reading out loud is a component of meditation. Ah, that’s why Dad had us memorize and recite this. The beauty in the Shakespearean language holds poetry most new translations cannot equal. Yet laughter burst out loud at the frankness of Eugene Peterson as he directs Psalm 1. “How the Lord must like you, you don’t hang out at the Sin Saloon, or slink along dead end road. You don’t go to Smart Mouth College! Not a reference to Dartmouth I’m sure. Be a tree replanted in Eden, not the evil windblown dust. Take delight and nourishment from the River of Life, the true magic fountain of everlasting life. Whichever translation appeals to you and your family, I encourage you to spend a bit of time tucking this tune from the Psalm accepting happiness, blessings, and deep love of God.
Mary Gibbs Murray
was born in Cortland, New York. She attended the same parochial Adventist school she would later be principal and teacher. Academy included Union Springs and Shenandoah Valley. Although she attended Pacific Union and Andrews, she received a BA in Art and Elementary cum laude from SUNY Cortland, MA in Education Administration from AUC. Teaching included adjunct at the local Jr. college. She cherishes two adult children, Sarita and Dale Pickett and one grandson, Alexander the Great! Her artwork has won international acclaim in addition she derives great joy in volunteer positions in area hospitals. Her other passion is music and is involved in Gresham United Methodist Choir, Festival Chorale Oregon, Salem and seasonal Hood View Choirs. Marriage to her best friend, Rogers Murray has brought her to Boring to flourish.
Psalm 1
The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly
1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Psalm 2
The Messiah’s Triumph and Kingdom
1 Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
6 “Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”
7 “I will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”
10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
Psalm 147
Praise to God for His Word and Providence
1 Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
4 He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.
5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.
6 The Lord lifts up the humble;
He casts the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
Sing praises on the harp to our God,
8 Who covers the heavens with clouds,
Who prepares rain for the earth,
Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
9 He gives to the beast its food,
And to the young ravens that cry.
10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy.
12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For He has strengthened the bars of your gates;
He has blessed your children within you.
14 He makes peace in your borders,
And fills you with the finest wheat.
15 He sends out His command to the earth;
His word runs very swiftly.
16 He gives snow like wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes;
17 He casts out His hail like morsels;
Who can stand before His cold?
18 He sends out His word and melts them;
He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.
19 He declares His word to Jacob,
His statutes and His judgments to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any nation;
And as for His judgments, they have not known them.
Praise the Lord!