Psalm 1 is a fascinating treasure to discover in God’s word. It is also fascinating in that it leads off the entire Book of Psalms.
It is a contrast between two lifestyles―the righteous and the wicked. It begins by stating the fundamental premise that the believing life is blessed. Being blessed, a heavily used concept in Psalms, means “the happiness that comes from God-given prosperity and security.”[i]
The centerpiece of the Psalm is verse 1 in the walk-stand-sit progression of the potential actions of one entering into an evil lifestyle―from casual association to complete identification.[ii] In the beginning one is merely influenced by the counsel (advice) of wicked people. In this verse, “wicked” refers to someone who is a “practical atheist.” They may confess a belief in God, but their actions are contrary to their claim.[iii]
The verse then moves from the casualness of association in “walking” to the more settled place of “standing” in a more fixed place with open sinfulness and sinners. The final step is open rebellion against God in the “sitting” with “scoffers.”
The scripture then enters into a contrast of this lifestyle with the lifestyle God calls us to. That life is that we, as believers find pleasure and delight―not drudgery―in constantly, “day and night,” learning, studying, meditating and applying the truths of God’s word into our lives.
The result? God’s people are like a tree planted by flowing streams of water. Its root system is reaching deeply into God’s word and its life is healthy as contrasted with the metaphor for the wicked life―chaff blowing uselessly in the wind.
Let me encourage you to meditate upon his word and pray daily.
Your life will be revived in unbelievable ways.
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1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 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 that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1 ESV
We can come to know Christ through confession of our sins and repentance (turning away from sin). Let me encourage you to do this by talking to God through prayer. Here is an idea of how you might do that:
"Dear God, I believe your son Jesus Christ died in my place on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day following his death. I confess my sins, all of them, to you now with a humble heart. I repent of those sins and ask you to empower me with your Holy Spirit in overcoming further sin. Amen” If you prayed this or a similar prayer committing your life to Christ and becoming one of his followers, let me encourage you to find a good, Bible-believing church. If you live in the Weslaco/Rio Grand Valley area of Texas, let me invite you to the church I attend, Mid-Valley Assembly (www.midvalleyassembly.com). Begin talking to God in prayer and reading the Bible daily. A good way to begin to read the Bible is to start with the Book of John in the New Testament. Feel very free in connecting with me if you need any further help in your walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. You can do this via the above email or facebook page or this web page. _____________________________________________________________________________ Mercy Road Ministries was founded and now led by Ben Bounds. Ben has pastored churches across Texas for over thirty years and is an ordained minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA). He holds a BA in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies from Southwestern Assemblies of God College and did graduate theological studies at the BMA Theological Seminary. Ben's first book, The Divine Chase: Responding to a Pursuing God, was released on 12.08.2017 through Westbow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. It is available in paperback and hardback through your preferred bookseller (Mardels, Barnes and Noble, etc.) and paperback, hardback as well as ebook through online book retailers (www.christianbook.com, www.cokesbury.com, www.amazon.com, www.booksamillion.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, etc.). Ben is the host of Staying in Bounds, an on-air Bible devotional broadcast multiple times daily on KWJV 103.7 FM Weslaco, TX which can also be heard worldwide online at www.kwjvthestar.com. Ben and his wife, Linda, together have four adult children and nine grandchildren. They live in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Ben can be contacted for preaching engagements at benbounds695@gmail.com or 903.441.3279. Ben can also be contacted via his website @ www.benbounds.com, which is also his blog and contains more information about his ministry. Follow Ben @ https://www.facebook.com/mercyroadministries/ and this website www.benbounds.com. ©2018 by Ben Bounds. All rights reserved
[i] NET Bible. See Note 2 on this verse in the translator’s notes.
[ii] Ibid, note 4.
[iii] Ibid, note 4.
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