Thursday, January 23, 2014

Day 6 Psalm 1:1 (Cont.)




Day 6 Psalm 1:1 (Cont.)

4 CONTEXT
Today, we're going to look at the context of Psalm 1:1. We will look at six verses before and after the verse. 
Since Psalm 1:1 is the very beginning of the book, we will go into the previous book of the Bible, which is Job. So, let's look at Job 42:10-17 and Psalm 1:2-8. 
Stop. there are only six verses in Psalm 1. It's really Psalm 1:1-6. So, to look at six verses after Psalm 1:1, we will also need to look at Psalm 2:1-2 as well.

CONTEXT?  WHAT IS IT AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? 
Context is knowing how a verse fits in the Bible--and how it makes sense there within. 
Context is knowing where your verse fits and makes sense given the four to six verses before or after your verse (even if it means going to another chapter or book of the Bible). 
Context is knowing how your verse fits in the chapter you are reading, along with the chapter before and after. 
Then, it's knowing how the verse fits in the book of the bible.
Then, context is knowing how your verse fits in the Testament in which it resides.
Context is then knowing where the verse fits in the entire Bible. 
To take a verse alone and think we understand what it means is wrong. This is not correct. Don't fall for this trap. We need to know where our verse fits in to everything I just listed previously. If we don't, we will MISUNDERSTAND the verse. This is why context is so important.  

JOB
Now, let's look at Job 42:10-17.
Prayer journal your thoughts about what you just read, what jumped out at you, what God says to you, and what you say to God. What does God want you to do or remember? Which verses jumped out at you the most? Prayer journal why they did. Also, prayer journal how this helps you understand Psalm 1:1, if at all. Then, read ahead.
I'll be honest. Job 42:10-17 doesn't help me one bit in understanding Psalm 1:1 more. It is a wonderful story, sure. God blessed Job. (Blessing is a key here.) But. how does this help me know more about Psalm 1:1?
Well, I think it would help to learn more about the story of Job. So, that will mean studying some of the Book of Job. (And, that brings us more into the Bible for this study, which is a good thing.)
I recommend reading the first chapter of the book to see if this helps increase understanding. So, let's do that. Read Job 1 now.
Prayer Journaling: Prayer journal your thoughts. What are the key verses, in your opinion, of Job 1? What verses jumped out at you most? What did you learn? What did God say to you? What did you say to God? What do you want to apply to your life? Prayer journal your thoughts again at this point.
The verses that spoke to me, which can and probably will be different from yours were: Job 1:1, Job 1:1-3, Job 1:6-12, Job 1:13-21, Job 1:22. Okay... So, the entire chapter is important in my opinion.
And, Job 1 sure helps us understand Job 42:10-17--then Psalm 1:1. Prayer journal why this is the case. Explain in your prayer journal what you learned and how it all ties together.
Psalm 1:1 reminds us of everything found in Job 1 and 42:10-17. Job was an upright man who loved and feared (revered) God. God blessed Job. And, God will bless the man who lives Psalm 1:1.
Prayer journal your thoughts. 

PSALM 1:2-6; PSALM 2:1-2
You might want to read Psalm 1:1 to begin with and then read the rest with one of your favorite versions of the Bible.
Prayer Journal: Prayer journal about anything that jumps out at you and why. What verses jumped out at you and why? Any questions? thoughts? Issues? What did God say to you? What did you say to God? How do these verses help you to understand Psalm 1:1? Write a summary. Write a prayer to God. 
You may consider doing all of the above with several more translations of the Bible. 

5 APPLICATION
Prayer journal about each of the following:
What can you apply to your life from Psalm 1:1?
From the cross-references?
From the context?
Make an action plan for each in your prayer journal and put it on your calendar and in your schedule.

6 WHAT I SAY TO GOD
This is personal to you. Go through Days 1 to this point and write out what else God is saying that you haven't written already.

7 WHAT GOD SAYS TO ME 
This is personal to you. Go through Days 1 to this point and write out what else God is saying that you haven't written already.   

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