The Wisdom Psalm
What is Wisdom?
Proverbs 1:7 (NIV) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
What is Wisdom?
Fear of the Lord
To love what God loves, hate what God hates, and to have an utter dread of displeasing Him. -Jay McCumber
The Wisdom Writings
Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Job Some Psalms (The Wisdom Psalms)
The Wisdom Writings
Characteristics Fear of the Lord (Focus on Torah) Path of Righteous & Wicked Practical Advice for Righteousness
Psalm 49: Riches or Wisdom?
Stanza 1: Introduction (Word of Wisdom)
Psalm 49: Riches or Wisdom?
Psalm 49:1-4 (NIV) Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, both low and high, rich and poor alike: My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle:
Psalm 49: Riches or Wisdom?
Stanza 1: Introduction (Word of Wisdom) Stanza 2: Futility of Wealth
Psalm 49: Riches or Wisdom?
Psalm 49:5-9 (NIV) Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough that he should live on forever and not see decay.
Psalm 49: Riches or Wisdom?
Stanza 1: Introduction (Word of Wisdom) Stanza 2: Futility of Wealth Stanza 3: Certainty of Death
Psalm 49: Riches or Wisdom?
Psalm 49:10-12 (NIV) For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish.
Psalm 49: Riches or Wisdom?
Stanza 1: Introduction (Word of Wisdom) Stanza 2: Futility of Wealth Stanza 3: Certainty of Death Stanza 4: Destiny of Wicked & Righteous
Psalm 49: Riches or Wisdom?
Psalm 49:13-15 (NIV) This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Selah Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah
Psalm 49: Riches or Wisdom?
Stanza 1: Introduction: Word of Wisdom Stanza 2: Futility of Wealth Stanza 3: Certainty of Death Stanza 4: Destiny of Wicked & Righteous Stanza 5: Conclusion: Live Wisely
Psalm 49: Riches or Wisdom?
Psalm 49:16-19 (NIV) Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed and men praise you when you prosper he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life.
Psalm 49: Riches or Wisdom?
Bottom Line:
Psalm 49:20 (NIV) A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
If we are not living according to Gods wisdom, we are not really living at all.
Wisdom in the Life of Worship
How is this Worship?
The wisdom psalms are worship because they teach a theocentric lifestyle.
Wisdom psalms keep us from compartmentalizing life.
Wisdom in The Life of Worship
We must fear God in every decision we make. His will must be our utmost priority. To live outside His will is to be foolish and to be in harms way. Are you in Gods will?
The Bottom Line
A life of worship is a life that fears God. Which path are you on?
