DAVID'S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY:
Rock n' Roll Religion
A. INTRODUCTION
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“Rock n’ Roll Religion?” Years ago, I wrote a book that never saw the light of day. In those days I had a radio show in NYC from NBC’s 30 Rock studio on “Religion and Rock n’ Roll”. That led to the idea that the 2,500-year-old PSALMS were, in some ways, ancient rock n’ roll. It was probably a stretch, but the key point was worth it. The rock n’ roll I’ve liked is guttural, personal, pointed, expressive, nothing held back. The PSALMS are much the same in that way. The Psalm-writer pours his heart out to God – in praise, anxiety, hope, frustration, celebration, confession. Our Fall Bible Study will look at the full variety. “Psalm” means “song”, usually “song of praise”. Most scripture is one person (the writer) addressing you (the reader). Some scriptures are God addressing us, humanity. The Psalms are invariably we humans addressing God.
C. SUMMARY.
Psalm 1 is often called “The Psalm of a Good Man”. In a lot of old-time writing the word “man” is a stand-in for “humanity”. Psalm 1 tells us what makes for a truly “blessed” (happy!) man, and the result. Verse 2 advises us to be careful who we hang out with, who influences us, warning that the person who is blessed and happy is one who is not surrounded by mockers, scoffers, sinners, or the overall wicked. Instead, he devotes his time to God’s will and ways (“the Law”), and actually “delights” in it. The end result is a life that is solid, like a strong tree in full bloom. Psalm 8 begins with unabashed praise of God, especially for the magnificence of creation. Such greatness makes it all the more amazing how highly God thinks of humanity. Only a little lower than the angels, God entrusts us with all creation as our blessing and responsibility.
D. KEY POINTS
1.
“INFLUENCERS” is the big word now. People with so many “followers” on Instagram, Facebook, etc., that if they go somewhere, wear something, use a product, endorse anything, other people will be “influenced”. And there’s the old saying, “you’re known by the company you keep”; or your mother’s advice, “I don’t want you hanging out with that person.” The Psalmist realizes that there are “influencers” that we shouldn’t be “hanging out with”. Namely, people who are up to no good in word or deed. So, there are positive influences, and negative ones. The Psalmist wants us to avoid the negatives.
2.
DELIGHT in LAW??!! Yes. God’s laws are not designed to take away our fun. Take “the shalt not steal”. How different would your daily life be if everyone delighted in that law? No more theft, home robbery, car theft;
no more fear of one another. To delight in God’s law means to find joy in the idea of a world living in harmony.
3.
The DEPRAVITY of Man? Original Sin? Both widespread beliefs are held by many Christians. We are born sinful. Evil is inherent in us. We are depraved. Or so it is said. Yet Psalm 8, five hundred years before Christ, gives humanity high praise. We are just a tad below angels, and all of creation is given to our charge. Psalm 8 tells us what we are capable of; and Psalm 1 tells us how to achieve it. We are made for greatness. Keep our nose clean. Make good choices. Follow God’s lead. Then your life will be worthy of the potential God put in you at the start.
