1. Basic Outline: Psalm 1 I.What the Righteous Man Does Not Do (v. 1) II.What the Righteous Man Does Do (v. 2) III.What the Righteous Man is Likened To (v. 3) IV.What the Wicked are Likened To (v. 4) V.What the Wicked Shall Not Do (v. 5) VI.What the L ORD Knows (v. 6)

2. Example of Antithetical Parallelism Psalm 1:6 – “For the L ORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Notice how the contrastive conjunction (“but”) introduces the opposite half of the parallelism: “The way of the righteous” corresponds to “the way of the ungodly,” and “knows” corresponds to “shall perish.”

3. The Way of the Ungodly is the Way of Rebellion First Scene on Earth: The psalmist questions why enemies would think up a plot that could not succeed (v. 1-3). Second Scene in Heaven: The psalmist declares the Sovereign L ORD ’s attitude toward His opponents (v. 4-6). Third Scene in Heaven: The psalmist quotes the Son’s affirmation (v. 7-9). Fourth Scene on Earth: The psalmist exhorts the heathen (v. 10-12). Basic Outline: Psalm 2

4. Psalm 2’s New Testament Connections Present-Day Historical Event (Psalm 1-3) Enemies At Jesus’s First Coming (Acts 4:25-27) Enemies At Jesus’s Second Coming (Rev. 19:15) Gentile kings revolted against their tribute status during the reign of Solomon. Gentiles: Romans People: Israel Kings: Pontius Pilate – represents Rome Rulers: Herod with chief priests and scribes You shall break them with a rod of iron (Ps. 2:9a); Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron (19:15).

5. Psalm 2 Psalm 2 provides no explicit identification of historical background or authorship. Possible historical background occurred when kings were rebelling against Israel’s king. Israel’s king is styled as a son of Yahweh by the word of Yahweh.

6. Psalm 2 Psalm 2 does not contain a “title”. The person who arranged Book One (possibly David) placed Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 together because of the framing device. Psalm 1 begins with “blessed,” and Psalm 2 ends with “blessed.”

7. Psalm 2 Psalm 2 is a prophecy, stressing Messianic themes. Psalm 2 is concerned for Torah in terms of the Son’s rule. Acts 13:33 – the “second Psalm”: David’s words of assurance to Solomon. Connection with 2 Samuel 7: son of the father.

8. Psalm 2 Psalm 2 is known as an “indirectly Messianic” psalm. The writer may have had in mind a current Israelite king first, yet he also awaited final fulfillment in the ultimate King (cf. Psalm 45, 72).

9. Typico-Prophetic Messianic Psalm Psalm 22:1 – “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” Psalm 110:1 – The L ORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand till I make Your enemies Your footstool. ” Purely Prophetic Messianic Psalm

10. Indirectly Messianic Psalm Psalm 45:6-7 – “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteous- ness is a scepter of Your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”