Psalm One

 

 

Psalm One:

1. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor does he stand in the way of sinners, nor does he sit in the seat of the scornful.
2. But his delight is in the Law of the Lord; and in his law does he meditate day and night.
3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper.
4. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5. Therefore, the ungodly shall 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 ungodly shall perish.

Six short verses in the beginning of the Book of Psalms, summarize the story of life and benefit of choosing to honor God as opposed to seeking out earthly pleasures and good standing with man instead of good standing with God.

In verse one we see the blessing, or happy and contented state of the man or woman who does seek wisdom, or status from ungodly people. This blessed man or woman does not seek to sit in a position of power with those who ‘scorn’ godly things and or righteous living. (The church who seeks political power is no better than the man Lot, who we find was sitting in the gate which was a position of power, when the Lord chose to punish those whose lives had become totally corrupt. We see that Lot, though in power had no affect on changing the lives of those who seek power and position for themselves.)

In verse two we see that one who would be unstained by the effects and cares of this life must be a regular student of God’s Word. He is to delight in the Law of the Lord, not the rule of religious leaders! He or she must not study in order to gain reputation or respect for the knowledge of mere words. The goal should be to delight in the Bible in order to gain insight into the One who is the author of the Words. (Religion has sought to gain power over people by claiming to have a higher knowledge and understanding of God’s truth. The hypocrisy through the centuries has been a stench in the nostrils of the Almighty.)

In verse three we see the unbending strength of the man, woman or child who has put their trust in the Law of the Lord and who has allowed the Almighty to be their mentor and guide in life. That man is always tapped into the only source of real wisdom and life-giving power. That man does not keep himself at a distance from strength, but has his roots sunk deep into the banks of the life-giving river that flows by. When it is time to bring forth fruit, the fruit is there for the benefit of those in need. When other religious people whither because they trust in their own strength, the man or woman who delights in the Word of God has strength unending and ready at hand. God promises a blessing of strength and wisdom and whatever he puts his hands to do will prosper, because it is by God’s strength that he labors, not his own.

In verse four we see the simple but sad contrast; the ungodly are not so. They are like the empty shells that cover the grain. The wind catches the empty shells of the ungodly person and he or she will be blown without mercy to wherever the wind choses to blow. The ungodly wants to choose his or her own way, but in the end, the wind will take them where they do not wish to go.

In verse five the end of the ungodly is shown to be a disappointing finish to a life lived for pleasure and seeking of personal gain. The short folly of this life and the approval of friends and ‘bar-room buddies’ will not be worth the eternal destiny of those who chose unwisely in their pursuits. It’s not worth it people.

In verse six this introduction to the book of Psalms reminds us that the Lord knows of, and takes great interest in the whole life and circumstances of those who choose to walk in His Ways and follow his instructions. The end is good and peaceful for those who follow the only wise God, but the end of the ungodly is said to perish.

The message is clear and the love of the Almighty is far-reaching, but He will not demand that you listen. Let’s say he strongly suggests you choose wisely.

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It is an honor and a marvel to think that the one who shaped the first man, also shapes my life and its’ circumstances.

He is shaping me into the image of His Son, the perfect man, Christ Jesus.

Clay Writer