Today’s psalm is one that places in my top five psalms. It opens the Book of Psalms with some very profound and important truths that believers should take special heed to if they wish to have a close walk with the Lord. This psalm speaks of two ways one can choose to walk in their life, and highlights the way a believer should choose. Let’s take a look at this short, but important psalm.
The main theme of this first of the psalms is that true blessing comes from a a life centered upon God’s Word, while destruction awaits those who reject God’s ways. We first look at the person who is blessed by the Lord, what he will avoid in his life, and what he loves. The Hebrew word for “blessed” here, “eser”, carries the idea of happiness, fulfillment, and divine favor. This is not worldly happiness based on circumstances, but instead a deep joy resulting from a right relationship with God.
We read first what this blessed man will avoid in his life, and that centers around who he associates with (vs. 1). He will not walk with the ungodly, listening to their counsel. Nor will he stand with sinners, participating with the way of their lifestyle, and he will not sit with the scornful. The godly man refuses to shape his life according to the world’s philosophy. The “counsel of the ungodly” includes humanism, secularism, false religions, godless morality, and anti-biblical thinking. The blessed man refuses to build his life upon them.
If one begins to listen to the ungodly, walking with them, very quickly he will start standing with them, and participate in their ways, their lifestyle, and conduct. Sin rarely begins with open rebellion. It starts with accepting wrong ideas. Many believers have fallen spiritually because they underestimated the danger of wrong influences. And the final stage is sitting with scoffers. The person has become comfortable among those who openly mock God, making light of that which is sacred, the blasphemous crowd. Scorners do not merely practice sin, they are proud of it, and mock righteousness.
The blessed man refuses to join in the company of any of these three groups. Verse 1 teaches separation from sinful influences and from false doctrine. It teaches separation unto God. Separation is not isolation. Jesus ate with sinners, but He never adopted their beliefs or practices. As believers, we are to be in the world but not of the world (John 17:14-18).
Next we read what the blessed man loves (vs. 2). This believer is not merely separated from sin, he is devoted to Scripture. God calls His people away from evil so they can walk closely with Him. He delights in God’s Word. It is not a burden but a joy because he knows and loves the Author. He doesn’t just casually read the Bible, he meditates on it, filling his mind with Scripture and thoughtfully considering its meaning and application. The strength of the believer’s life is directly connected to his relationship with God’s Word. Meditating on God’s Word will develop a Biblical worldview, where decisions, priorities, relationships, and attitudes become shaped by divine truth rather than worldly thinking.
Continuing on, we read of the prosperity of the blessed man (vs. 3). He is compared to a tree planted by a river where it can receive plenty of water, bringing forth fruit. God sovereignly places His people where they can grow. Water in Scripture often symbolizes life, blessing, refreshment, and the ministry of God’s Word. The believer’s strength does not originate within himself, but comes from continual nourishment supplied by God. Drought, trials, and difficult seasons may come, but this blessed person remains spiritually alive because his roots extend into God’s provisions.
However, the ungodly are like chaff, the dry, worthless husk separated from grain during threshing (vs. 4). They have no spiritual roots, but are carried by false doctrine, human philosophy, and public opinion. Because the wicked are like chaff, judgment is inevitable and certain (vs. 5). No defense of theirs will succeed, no excuse will prevail. Every mouth will be stopped before a holy God.
As the psalm concludes we see two eternal destinies (vs. 6). God knows those who belong to Him. They will have an intimate relationship, enjoy His loving care, and covenant knowledge. The way of the ungodly may appear successful for a time. They may seem prosperous, influential, and powerful, but their path ultimately ends in destruction.
In closing this first of the psalms instructs us to guard our influences. We should evaluate what we read, what we watch or listen to, and especially who is influencing our thinking. The strongest Christians are those who consistently delight in God’s Word. A life rooted in God’s Word leads to blessing, stability, fruitfulness, and eternal fellowship with God. A life that rejects God’s truth ultimately ends in judgment and destruction.
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