The Way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life

It is through the opening pages of the Psalms we discover foundational truth for right living. It is as Children of God that we can learn to delight ourselves in God. The trusted theologian Dale Ralph Davis leads readers through a careful study of Psalms 1–12 with clear application for daily life.

The Psalmist begins with the most essential truth for mankind, Davis explains: “Nothing is so crucial as your belonging to the congregation of the righteous.” And it is the Word of God that provides the direction for the believer’s life. It is here, Davis points out, “the righteous man gets his signals for living.” The delight of the righteous is in the “law” the teachings of the Lord. Indeed, for those who belong to Him, meditating on God’s Word is “the pursuit of pleasure”! And the Psalms are a rich resource for such pursuit.

As the first 12 Psalms continue, we see basic principles unfold with great clarity. Much like our troubles today, the Psalmist endured wickedness all around, a world hostile to the true God and on a very personal level—deceit and persecution from his enemies. Readers are pointed toward the glorious rule of the Messiah, to whom the whole world belongs. In light of this realisation, we are prepared to face all kinds of troubles that cause despair. The righteous rely on God, and the Psalms teach us how.

Davis, a noted Old Testament scholar, provides poignant insight to the original language of the text, guiding readers to deeper levels of understanding. Verse-by-verse exposition crystallises the Psalmist's message, and cross-references show the passages in broader biblical context. Illustrations from history and from the author's personal experience help paint the truth in living colour, demonstrating the relevancy of the text across cultures and throughout time. This is an ideal resource for small groups, as a teaching guide and for personal study.