Wisdom Psalms

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Wisdom Psalms
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Wisdom Psalms

• What is a "wisdom psalm"?
• Characteristics of wisdom literature.
• Wicked vs Righteous, Evil vs Good
• Rewards punishment
• Wisdom or instruction terminology
• Is "wisdom psalm" a form or genre?
• Depends upon who you ask.

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Wisdom Psalms
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Psalm 1

• 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the
  counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of
  sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his
  delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law
  he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree
  planted by streams of water, which yields its
  fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
  Whatever he does prospers. 4 Not so the wicked!
  They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5
  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the
  judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the
  righteous. 6 For the LORD watches over the way of
  the righteous, but the way of the wicked will
  perish.

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Psalm 37

• Of David 1Do not fret because of the wicked do
  not be envious of wrongdoers, 2 for they will
  soon fade like the grass, and wither like the
  green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good so
  you will live in the land, and enjoy security. 4
  Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you
  the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to
  the LORD trust in him, and he will act. 6 He
  will make your vindication shine like the light,
  and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

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Psalm 37

• 7 Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently
  for him do not fret over those who prosper in
  their way, over those who carry out evil devices.
  8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not
  fret-it leads only to evil. 9 For the wicked
  shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD
  shall inherit the land. 10 Yet a little while,
  and the wicked will be no more though you look
  diligently for their place, they will not be
  there.

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Psalm 37

• 11 But the meek shall inherit the land, and
  delight themselves in abundant prosperity. 12
  The wicked plot against the righteous, and gnash
  their teeth at them 13 but the LORD laughs at
  the wicked, for he sees that their day is coming.
  14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
  to bring down the poor and needy, to kill those
  who walk uprightly 15 their sword shall enter
  their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

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Psalm 37

• 16 Better is a little that the righteous person
  has than the abundance of many wicked. 17 For the
  arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD
  upholds the righteous. 18 The LORD knows the days
  of the blameless, and their heritage will abide
  forever 19 they are not put to shame in evil
  times, in the days of famine they have abundance.
  20 But the wicked perish, and the enemies of the
  LORD are like the glory of the pastures they
  vanish-like smoke they vanish away.

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Psalm 37

• 25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have
  not seen the righteous forsaken or their children
  begging bread. 26 They are ever giving liberally
  and lending, and their children become a
  blessing. 27 Depart from evil, and do good so
  you shall abide forever. 28 For the LORD loves
  justice he will not forsake his faithful ones.
  The righteous shall be kept safe forever, but the
  children of the wicked shall be cut off.

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Psalm 37

• 30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and
  their tongues speak justice. 31 The law of their
  God is in their hearts their steps do not slip.
  32 The wicked watch for the righteous, and seek
  to kill them. 33 The LORD will not abandon them
  to their power, or let them be condemned when
  they are brought to trial. 34 Wait for the LORD,
  and keep to his way, and he will exalt you to
  inherit the land you will look on the
  destruction of the wicked.

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Psalm 37

• 37 Mark the blameless, and behold the upright,
  for there is posterity for the peaceable. 38 But
  transgressors shall be altogether destroyed the
  posterity of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 The
  salvation of the righteous is from the LORD he
  is their refuge in the time of trouble. 40 The
  LORD helps them and rescues them he rescues them
  from the wicked, and saves them, because they
  take refuge in him

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Psalm 49

• 1 Hear this, all you peoples
• listen, all who live in this world,
• 2 both low and high, rich and poor alike
• 3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom
• the utterance from my heart will give
  understanding.
• 4 I will turn my ear to a proverb
• with the harp I will expound my riddle
• 5 Why should I fear when evil days come,
• when wicked deceivers surround me
• 6 those who trust in their wealth
• and boast of their great riches? (NIV)

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Psalm 49

• 7 No man can redeem the life of another
• or give to God a ransom for him
• 8 the ransom for a life is costly,
• no payment is ever enough
• 9 that he should live on forever and not see
  decay.
• 10 For all can see that wise men die
• the foolish and the senseless alike perish
• and leave their wealth to others.
• 11 Their tombs will remain their houses forever,
• their dwellings for endless generations,
• though they had named lands after themselves.
• 12 But man, despite his riches, does not endure
  
• he is like the beasts that perish (NIV).

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Psalm 112

• 1Praise the LORD! Happy are those who fear the
  LORD, who greatly delight in his commandments. 2
  Their descendants will be mighty in the land
  the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3
  Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their
  righteousness endures forever. 4 They rise in the
  darkness as a light for the upright they are
  gracious, merciful, and righteous. 5 It is well
  with those who deal generously and lend, who
  conduct their affairs with justice.

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Psalm 112

• 6 For the righteous will never be moved they
  will be remembered forever. 7 They are not afraid
  of evil tidings their hearts are firm, secure in
  the LORD. 8 Their hearts are steady, they will
  not be afraid in the end they will look in
  triumph on their foes. 9 They have distributed
  freely, they have given to the poor their
  righteousness endures forever their horn is
  exalted in honor. 10 The wicked see it and are
  angry they gnash their teeth and melt away the
  desire of the wicked comes to nothing.

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Psalm 128

• 1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in
  his ways.
• 2 You will eat the fruit of your labor blessings
  and prosperity will be yours.
• 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within
  your house your sons will be like olive shoots
  around your table.
• 4 Thus is the man blessed (??????) who fears the
  Lord.
• 5 May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days
  of your life may you see the prosperity of
  Jerusalem,
• 6 and may you live to see your childrens
  children. Peace be upon Israel. (NIV)