The Way of Torah:The Way of Torah:Life, Fruit, SubstanceLife, Fruit, Substance

Psalm 1Psalm 1

Psalm 1Psalm 1

Blessed (is) the man! Blessed (is) the man!

whowho

not he walks in the counsel of the wicked, not he walks in the counsel of the wicked, oror

in the path of sinners not he stands,in the path of sinners not he stands,or or

in the seat of scoffers not he sits.in the seat of scoffers not he sits.

(Psalm 1.1)

Psalm 1Psalm 1

But ratherBut rather

in the law of the LORD, in the law of the LORD, is his delightis his delight

and and

In His law,In His law,he meditates by day and night.he meditates by day and night.

(Psalm 1.2)

Psalm 1Psalm 1 "Although the term Torah can be used of the law, or of the Pentateuch, or "Although the term Torah can be used of the law, or of the Pentateuch, or

even (at a later date) of the whole OT, its significance here is the most even (at a later date) of the whole OT, its significance here is the most fundamental one. Basically, the word Torah means “instruction”; specifically, fundamental one. Basically, the word Torah means “instruction”; specifically, it is the instruction which God gives to mankind as a guide for life. Thus it it is the instruction which God gives to mankind as a guide for life. Thus it may include that which is technically law, but it also includes other more may include that which is technically law, but it also includes other more general parts of God’s revelation. The Torah is to be a source of “delight”, a general parts of God’s revelation. The Torah is to be a source of “delight”, a delight which is discovered by means of constant meditation on its meaning. delight which is discovered by means of constant meditation on its meaning. Just as the king would learn to live a life of humility and righteousness Just as the king would learn to live a life of humility and righteousness through constant reflection on the meaning of Torah (Deut 17:18–20), so too through constant reflection on the meaning of Torah (Deut 17:18–20), so too could all mankind. And an understanding of Torah contributed to long life, could all mankind. And an understanding of Torah contributed to long life, peace and prosperity (Prov 3:1–2), for in its words God has set down the peace and prosperity (Prov 3:1–2), for in its words God has set down the nature of a life which would reach the true fulfillment for which it was nature of a life which would reach the true fulfillment for which it was created.” [WBC]created.” [WBC]

Psalm 1Psalm 1 ““This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be

careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.success." (Joshua 1.8)" (Joshua 1.8)

Psalm 1Psalm 1

And he is like a treeAnd he is like a tree

being planted by streams of water, being planted by streams of water, Which his fruit he yields in his season, Which his fruit he yields in his season, And his leaf does not wither; And his leaf does not wither;

And (in) all that he does, he prospers.And (in) all that he does, he prospers.

(Psalm 1.3)

Psalm 1Psalm 1 "A tree transplanted from some dry spot (e.g. a wadi, "A tree transplanted from some dry spot (e.g. a wadi,

where the water runs only sporadically in the rainy where the water runs only sporadically in the rainy season) to a location beside an irrigation channel, season) to a location beside an irrigation channel, where water never ceases to flow, would inevitably where water never ceases to flow, would inevitably flourish. It would become a green and fruitful tree…flourish. It would become a green and fruitful tree…The state of blessedness or happiness is not a The state of blessedness or happiness is not a rewardreward; ; rather, it is the result of a particular type of life. Just as rather, it is the result of a particular type of life. Just as a tree with a constant water supply a tree with a constant water supply naturallynaturally flourishes, flourishes, so too the person who avoids evil and delights in Torah so too the person who avoids evil and delights in Torah naturallynaturally prospers, for such a person is living within prospers, for such a person is living within the guidelines set down by the Creator." [WBC]the guidelines set down by the Creator." [WBC]

Psalm 1Psalm 1

Not so the wickedNot so the wicked

But ratherBut rather like chaff which the wind drives away (they are).like chaff which the wind drives away (they are).

Therefore Therefore not not the wicked will stand in the judgment, the wicked will stand in the judgment, oror sinners in the assembly of the righteous.sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

(Psalm 1.4-5)

Psalm 1Psalm 1 "In winnowing, grain is threshed in order to separate "In winnowing, grain is threshed in order to separate

the kernel of grain from the husk and straw. The the kernel of grain from the husk and straw. The mixture is thrown into the air with a winnowing fork or mixture is thrown into the air with a winnowing fork or shovel. The wind blows the light husks away, the shovel. The wind blows the light husks away, the heavier straw falls near the edge of the threshing floor, heavier straw falls near the edge of the threshing floor, and the grain falls back to the floor to be collected. and the grain falls back to the floor to be collected. Both the light husks and the heavier straw are referred Both the light husks and the heavier straw are referred to in the words translated “chaff” in the Bible…Chaff to in the words translated “chaff” in the Bible…Chaff evokes an image of lightness, instability and evokes an image of lightness, instability and worthlessness"worthlessness" [Dictionary of Biblical Imagery][Dictionary of Biblical Imagery]

Psalm 1Psalm 1

For For watching over is the LORD watching over is the LORD

the way of the righteous, the way of the righteous,

but but

the way of the wicked the way of the wicked will perish.will perish.

(Psalm 1.6)

Psalm 1Psalm 1 "The doom of the wicked, as it is expressed in this "The doom of the wicked, as it is expressed in this

psalm, is not primarily a punishment, any more than the psalm, is not primarily a punishment, any more than the happiness of the righteous is a reward. Each is happiness of the righteous is a reward. Each is presented as the natural outcome of a way of life which presented as the natural outcome of a way of life which has been chosen.” [WBC]has been chosen.” [WBC]

Psalm 1Psalm 1 A1 (v 1) The way of blessednessA1 (v 1) The way of blessedness

B1 (v 2) Continuance in the Lord’s lawB1 (v 2) Continuance in the Lord’s law C1 (v 3) The enduring fruit treeC1 (v 3) The enduring fruit tree C2 (v 4) The impermanent chaffC2 (v 4) The impermanent chaff

B2 (v 5) No standing in the Lord’s judgmentB2 (v 5) No standing in the Lord’s judgment

A2 (v 6) The way of perishing A2 (v 6) The way of perishing

Psalm 1Psalm 1 Observations:Observations:

How hard does a tree "work"? (smile)How hard does a tree "work"? (smile) The Impact of the Righteous: Fruit & SustenanceThe Impact of the Righteous: Fruit & Sustenance Who "masters" whom--you or Torah?Who "masters" whom--you or Torah?

The Way of Torah:The Way of Torah:Life, Fruit, SubstanceLife, Fruit, Substance

Psalm 1Psalm 1