Psalm 1 (2 Paths)

Episode 24Z03 Psalm 1 (2 Paths)

(Written by Dr. Kip Wehrman 02/22/2024)

Hello my friends.  

Today is one of our student Table preps.  I plan to post one of these each month about two weeks ahead of our Students Table.  We want you to read or listen and think about the scripture we are presenting.  Then during the Student Table on the first Saturday morning of each month we will ask you to share your thoughts on the passage.  I will try to give you some discussion points, so you can prepare what you want to say.

First, order of business.  Let’s Pray. 

We will be discussing Psalm 1.  Most people don’t know this Psalm even though it’s the first Psalm in our Bibles. I want you to read this Psalm in at least three translations today.  1^st King James, then New International (NIV) and then Tagalog Contemporary Bible or Ang Salita ng Dios

Let’s read it in the King James version first. Psalm 1 (KJV), Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

That is the Kings James English version.  Sometimes the standeth, sitteth, knoweth bothers me.  All those -eths’  They are just not the words I normally use when I speak or anyone for that matter..  Let’s read it again in one the modern English versions.  Psalm 1 (NIV) Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

For me that is a lot better.  I want to share another translation with you.  This is what they call a paraphrased version called the Good News Translation.  The translator tries to capture the intent of the message  and put it into modern English words. .  Psalm 1 (GNT) Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God. Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the LORD, and they study it day and night.  They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do. But evil people are not like this at all; they are like straw that the wind blows away. Sinners will be condemned by God and kept apart from God’s own people. The righteous are guided and protected by the LORD, but the evil are on the way to their doom.

While I don’t recommend this translation for study, it reads so well.  Reject bad advice, stay away from the ungodly. 

But I also want you to hear it in your language.  From the Tagalog Contemporary Bible (Ang Salita ng Dios) Psalm 1 Mapalad ang taong hindi namumuhay ayon sa payo ng masasama, o sumusunod sa mali nilang halimbawa, at hindi nakikisama sa mgataong nangungutya. Sa halip ay nagagalak siyang sumunod sa mga aral na mula sa Panginoon, at araw-gabi ito ay kanyang pinagbubulay-bulayan. Ang katulad niyaʼy isang punongkahoy na itinanim sa tabi ng sapa, na namumunga sa takdang panahon at hindi nalalanta ang mga dahon. Magtatagumpay siya sa anumang kanyang ginagawa. Ngunit  iba ang mga taong masama; silaʼy parang ipa na tinatangay ng hangin. Parurusahan sila ng Dios sa araw ng paghatol, at ihihiwalay sa mga matuwid. Sapagkat pinapatnubayan ng Panginoon ang mga matuwid, ngunit ang buhay ng taong masama ay hahantong sa kapahamakan.

So, what do you think.   This Psalm is a great encouragement.

I look forward to your thoughts and insights. During our Student’s table is a couple weeks. 

You can find the contemporary Tagalog Bible. On the internet with Biblegateway or on your mobile device app store.  Search for TCB or Tagalog Contemporary Bible.  (www.Bible.is  which has an audio version you can download) or (ang Salita ng Dios Bible app)  There are a few other we have tested but these seem the most stable.

The Bible is intended to be easy to understand.  Humans make it complicated. The best Bible translation is the one you read.

Find the Bible that you can read and understand, then read it.  It does not matter if it is the translation your pastor uses or not.

If you have any questions about faith or life, send me the questions to quetions@punla.org.  This is completely confidential, I will not share your name, only your question.

Let’s Pray.

Let me leave you with this.  God is reminding us that if we keep our focus on Jesus and what He wants us to do, then our life is better.  We are like trees with plenty of water.  This means God is there to sustain us even in the hard times.  Those without God, do not have hope, joy, or assurance. 

I am so glad we have this time together each month.  Don’t fear anything in this world.  Jesus is the king of this world and as such we should fear nothing.  I Love you and l am proud of you.  God’s Blessings. 

Until next time. I pray for Joy, Hope, Peace and Assurance from God for each of you. God bless.

Kip Wehrman, Th.D., Ph.D., P.E.

Managing Director

PUNLA Christian Ministries