Psalm 1
This first song reminds the worshippers of the two - and only two - kinds of people living in this world. It reminds them of those whos, on the one hand love the Lord God of Israel and of those on the other hand who don't. In this song, then, the leader, standing at the temple on Mount Zion, leads the people, early in the morning, to sing out an exhortation to God's covenant poeople to love and worship their Lord.
It begins with a clear statement of the fact that those who love the Lord and desire to please Him should want nothing to do with the ideas and influence of those who don't. They shouldn't walk with them, stand with them, or even sit with them in conversation. Simply put, they can't travel in that crowd, because they don't want to be influenced to think and act as they do.
The song goes on to remind them that the Lord blesses those who thus avoid the ungodly, and it also reminds them that they've begun to please their God by means of that stance. By way of application, as we in our day consider the relationship we have to Jehovah, we need also to understand that we too ought not to make the people of this world our close and continuous companions. (1 Cor. 5:10). We can't avoid interaction, but we can avoid their thoughts and actions as though they were our own.
Then, having begun by describing that negative stance, the leader next turns to a distinct positive. He sings, "But his delight is in the Law of the Lord ("Law" = the entire Bible), and in His Law he meditates day and night." In saying this, he's actually painting a picture of those who love God: they're people who gladly hear His Word and eagerly consider what it means for them. Simply put, they meditate on it day and night. That is, they consider, even in their daydreaming, how the Law might apply in their daily lives.
The people are next led to sing about how great God's blessing is upon those who live that way. He says, "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." How encouraging! Godly people will be be the ultimately successful people! They'll be Like trees planted by refreshing, strengthening water, trees that grow, blossom, and produce delicious fruit! I believe that we can confidently conclude that those who make it a habit to consider how they may please their Lord will abundantly succeed in actually doing so!
But that's not so for the ungodly, for those who don't care to consider how to please the Lord. Such people may at times think they're prospering in life, and they may in fact think that getting ahead financially and socially is "where it's at," but in the sight of the Lord and in view of the reality of His eternity they are total losers. They'll have to stand one day before a holy God to answer for their attitudes and behavior, and they won't be present when God gathers the "congregation of the righteous" to Himself for eternal blessedness.
Finally, the song reminds the worshippers of an ever-present reality. It tells us that "the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish." In other words, God CARES - He's not merely "out there somewhere," paying no attention when we're trying to please Him, but He's constantly present with us!
But, dear reader, what about you? Is He the focus of your life? You can be sure of one thing: you'll never be sorry to have made the Lord and His Word the center of your attention!
Thanks Pastor. I love this Psalm. It is such an encourager.
If we keep our eyes Fixed on His Word it is so much easier to "take every thought captive."
...Job could almost have written this Psalm. It sounds so like him to me. see Job 21:18.
We do see the ungodly enjoying themselves don't we. Thank-God we have so many witnesses to encourage us.
Jenny :D
And He is Himself our inheritance - we must keep our eyes upon THAT!
Amen to that Al.
Goodnight bro.
Jenny.
I am moving this over from where it was posted in Psalm 2.
I have started over in the Psalms this morning. I see you haven't discussed Psalm 1, but it really spoke to me this morning. It spoke to me on living the Christian life. The way some people need to adjust their attitude in how they speak to others. This is something I have been dealing with--with one of my clients. It also reminds me of where I came from in the beginnings of my walk with Jesus. We definitely need to be strong and leave the thnigs of the world behind when we start our life of Christainity.
But we always try to drag along "the things of the world" when we set out in the morning, don't we? At least I do. They cling to my soul like glue! Oh grant me the help of Your Spirit, Father!
I have started over in the Psalms today just as I told you I would on the phone.
This Psalm speaks to me about standing strong in the Lord and being obediant to his word. Also to produce the fruits of the spirit in my life and I will be blessed.
Brother Al, I try to real a Psalm every day and then also, a portion in Psalm 119 . This first Psalm reminds me of being in His Word and like Jenny, I think it is an encouraging Psalm. Then, too, it reminds me of what a wonder and blessing it is to be with other Christian believers.
Thanks for your commentary, AL ... I love the Psalms. I have cassette tapes of my dear Pastor Bev reading Psalms 1 thru 78 from the Amplified Bible. (That's as far as she got). I always loved hearing her read aloud.
Hello to all who are reading the Psalms.
Al, I too love the Psalms and especially the very first one. It has always given me a good foundation to base my faith on.
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked.....etc."
I read or heard some where that"blessed" in the Hebrew also means "happy".
I like to read, "Happy is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked...etc."
When I read it that way, I truly feel happy. It gives me great pleasure and a feeling of being in touch with the spirit.
So you would expect some one named Stoob aka Boots to come up with something like that, wouldnt you. ;D ;D
Thanks Al, I am praying you are feeling better.
Thanks Stooby(!). (Bootsie?) Actually, it'll make you even happier to learn that "blessed" means "approved." If you're approved by God, why then you're REALLY approved!
Hi Al
Now you are talking, blessed, happy and approved.
As the man said, "It don't get any better than this." :) :)
Boots
I enjoyed reading this Psalm today Al and then came to refresh my memory with your little study on it.
Thanks for this resource.
My prayer is that I will always remember verse 1 and 2...
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."