Reading the First Two Psalms back to back

When reading the Psalms, it’s natural to read each one in isolation. But sometimes reading them back to back can give us deeper takeaways. It’s been pointed out by scholars that the collection of Psalms is put together methodically, telling a larger narrative from Psalm 1 to Psalm 150. For this blog, I want to briefly look over Psalm 1 and 2, and the connected message the Psalmist gives to the reader.

Psalm 1: The Two Ways in relation to following God’s Word
We’ve discussed more than once on this blog about the Two Ways theology that is prevalent in Scripture, 2nd Temple Judaism, and early Christianity. Psalm 1 is often noted as a clear example of the Two Ways: Those who meditate and obey God’s instruction, the Torah, will be blessed. Those who disobey and choose not to follow God will lack root and perish.

Psalm 1 gives a broad statement on the Two Ways, making it easily applicable to any individual reader/hearer of the Scripture. The Way of Life in Psalm 1 is to obey God.


Psalm 2: The Two Ways in relation to following God’s King
What has recently stuck out to me is how the Two Ways flows into the very next Psalm. This time, the Two Ways is addressing the nations and their rulers. Psalm 1 condemns those who don’t follow God’s Law, whereas Psalm 2 condemns the nations for failing to acknowledge God and to go against His anointed king.

Both Psalms end with a warning of God’s judgment:

Psalm 1:5-6 (NASB)
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 2:10-12
Now then, you kings, use insight; let yourselves be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, that He not be angry and you perish on the way, for His wrath may be kindled quickly. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

What’s notable about Psalm 2’s ending is that it offers mercy to anyone who takes refuge in God’s chosen king. Going back to Psalm 1 for a moment, it opens by proclaiming blessing to those who choose the Way of Life:

Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law he meditates day and night.

The word for “blessing” is used twice when reading both Psalms back to back: Psalm 1 opens with blessing for those who obey God’s Law, and Psalm 2 closes with blessing for those who take refuge in God’s king! Put together, we see the Way of Life being presented as a relationship with God that both calls for obedience while also assuring refuge. Faith and works go together in the Way of Life. Our safety is in God’s Messiah, we don’t need to look anywhere else.

This can be seen in Jesus’ instructions before being betrayed. Jesus Christ, the Son of David, who just a chapter before addressed himself as “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”, makes it clear that He is to be the root and source for disciples, but that true disciples will also seek obedience:

John 15:1-10
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. Just as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you; remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in His love.

Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. 1995, 2020. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.