Psalm 1

I chose Psalm 1 to look at tonight.  I memorized this passage years ago.  It contrasts the righteous man with the wicked.

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.”

 

Thoughts on this passage … 

The pursuit of God will bring you blessings.  

In the midst of problems, how can we have a stable life?  This psalm shows blessings that await the person who pursues God.

What does the word “blessed” mean?  The dictionary defines blessed as favored.  It refers to a state of happiness.  It can also mean enjoying God’s favor.

Pursuing God means you don’t allow the wicked to influence you.  You shouldn’t follow after the world’s ways.  You shouldn’t seek advice from non-Christians.  You should go to the Bible and to your Christian friends for godly council. 

A scoffer is one who mocks God.   Don’t associate with such people.

There is more to the Christian life than avoiding evil.  Don’t just run from evil, run towards God.

Verse 2 – refers to meditating on the Word – read it, study it, memorize it

Verse 3 – God promises prosperity.  Don’t misunderstand this part.  This prosperity is not the same as the world’s definition.  Real prosperity is not money or possessions.  Real prosperity is the result of God working in my life.  The results may not be what we are expecting but God will not leave us down.

Verse 4 – the chaff is the part of the wheat that is worthless.  II was once explained to me this way  -- When grain was harvested in Israel, they would pour it out on a threshing floor.  The wind would blow away the chaff and leave the the kernels of the wheat behind.  The wicked are like the chaff  - they blow around in the wind – following whatever the latest ideas and philosophies are. 

Verse 6 – The wicked will perish.  Sometimes it seems like they are getting exactly what they want but remember any prosperity they see now is temporary.  They will perish. 

Ideas to take away from this …

1. Examine your life.  Who are you going to for advice?  Are you seeking godly advice and direction or are you following the crowd? 

2. Accountability – find a godly person who can hold you accountable in your walk with God.  Someone who you can share your struggles with.  Someone who will pray for you and encourage you.

3. Bible Study – make it a consistent part of your life.  You can’t base your life on the Scriptures if you don’t know what God’s Word says. 

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