The Whole Story
Psalm 1
The wisdom literature introduces us to life
according to God’s plan. Psalm 1 is the gateway to the book of Psalms, setting
the foundation for a life lived under God's rule and blessing. It presents a
striking contrast between two ways of life: the way of the righteous, who
delight in God’s law, and the way of the wicked, who reject His guidance. This
psalm establishes that God orders our lives and reveals how we should walk in
His ways, leading to true blessing and stability.
Psalm 1 begins with a portrait of the blessed
man — one who avoids the influence of the wicked, sinners, and scoffers but
instead one delights in the law of the Lord. This delight is not mere
obligation but a deep, meditative engagement with God’s instruction, shaping
his heart and mind. The image of a tree planted by streams of water (v.3)
illustrates the righteous life: firmly rooted, nourished, and yielding fruit in
its season. This reflects the ordered life God desires for His people — one
marked by consistency, purpose, and spiritual vitality.
In contrast, the wicked are depicted as chaff
(v.4) dry, weightless, and easily scattered by the wind. Unlike the deeply
rooted tree, their lives are unstable and fleeting, lacking the firm foundation
that comes from obedience to God’s word. Psalm 1 warns that the wicked will not
stand in judgment nor belong to the assembly of the righteous (v.5),
emphasizing that their path leads to destruction.
At the heart of this psalm is the assurance
that God actively watches over and directs the path of the righteous. He does
not leave His people to wander aimlessly but orders their steps according to
His wisdom. The final verse declares, "For the Lord knows the way of the
righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish" (v.6). This highlights
God’s intimate involvement in the lives of His people, leading them toward life
and security, while allowing those who reject Him to face the consequences of
their choices.
Psalm 1 is an invitation to embrace God’s
order, to delight in His instruction, and to walk in the way that leads to true
flourishing. It calls us to trust that God, in His wisdom, has shown us how to
live. In doing so, He establishes our steps and blesses our journey. There is
no better example of the blessed man living according to God’s way than Jesus
Christ. Psalm 1 ultimately looks forward to Jesus, the way and the life. Jesus
is here, even in Psalm 1.
Read Psalm 1 and make observations about the
text.
Psalm 1
The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked
1Blessed 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.
The
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001
by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Psalm 1
Discussion Questions:
What does it mean to be “blessed” according
to Psalm 1? (v. 1)
In what ways have you experienced the slow
drift from walking to sitting with sin? (v. 1)
How would you describe your current
relationship with God’s Word — delight, duty, or distant? (v. 2)
What might it look like for your life to be
like a tree “planted by streams of water”? (v. 3)
How do verses 4–6 reshape our understanding
of success, security, and eternity?
Psalm 1 reminds us that the most important
decision we make is not what we do, but where we are planted. One road leads to
life and fruitfulness, the other to judgment and emptiness. In Christ, we find
the Blessed Man who walked the righteous path perfectly. He invites us to
follow Him.
END
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