The Book of Psalms contains some of the most loved verses in the Bible. For the next few weeks (I’m not sure yet how long), we will explore the Psalms. Well, more than explore. We’re going to take the very first Psalm to heart.
Psalm 1 says this. “How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand up in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.” (Psalm 1, CSB)
Let’s meditate on this for a bit. Let’s ponder the words and their meaning. Psalms begin with a choice and a promise. We are happy if we choose to walk the way of the Lord and not the way of the wicked. The enticements of the wicked are all around us. Even more so in our connected age. How do we overcome those voices from without and within? By meditating on God’s Word. Meditating is more than just reading the Word; it is slowing down to ponder, visualize, and emotionally connect with the words.
Happy is the one that walks in the Lord’s institution. Happy like a tree planted near a flowing stream. A fruitful tree that does not wither. The wicked are instead like dried chaff that blows away with the slightest breeze. One thriving, one a useless husk. One well watered, the other dried out. It sometimes doesn’t seem that way, though, does it? The wicked seem to enjoy life and have good things at the expense of others. But when the Lord’s day comes, they will blow away like chaff, while those that chose Christ will remain rooted and satisfied in His love.
Consider these words of Jesus, “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9–11, CSB) While Jesus didn’t directly quote Psalm 1, His teaching echoes and reflects its truths. Be rooted and remain in Christ and in His Word. There is great joy and happiness to be experienced if we do.
As we encounter the Psalms, we’ll experience many emotions. Happy is just the first. Here are some questions to aid your own meditation on Psalm 1. What makes you happy? Which path are you following? Do you feel like a tree planted beside a stream? If not, consider why that may be. What in this Psalm is speaking to you today?
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