Psalm 1: Who are Blessed by God?

Before investing a few hours to watch a movie, I usually inspect the summary on the back of the case.  Moreover, a promise of conflict and espionage often draws my attention, while a story about a friendly, sparkly vampire tends to make me put the movie back on the shelf.  In a similar way Psalm 1 provides an introduction to the entire book of Psalms.  If the Psalms, as stated in Colossians 3:16 and expounded in Psalm 1, dwell in our hearts and receive our constant mediation, we will be blessed by God, counseled to live in His ways, and furnished with ample reason to rejoice.  With such a grand and applicable summary, it is definitely a good idea take this book of the bible off the shelf.

Specifically in Psalm 1 verses 1-2, the righteous and the ungodly are contrasted by how they fulfill their lives and who they obey.  Verses 3-6 continue by comparing the reward of the blessed man with the destruction of the ungodly, and this contrast is both a stark warning to those who do not treasure God’s law and a promise to those who do obey God’s law instead of the world.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

Who are Blessed by God?
1 Blessed is the man
   Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
   Nor stands in the path of sinners,
   Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
  And in His law he meditates day and night.

Verse 1 explains that a blessed man is one who perseveres in obeying God and avoids being led astray by the wicked.  The Psalm of the Month article in the RP Witness explains the progression in this verse with quite effective economy of words.

“The blessed man does not “walk in the counsel of the wicked” (does not conform to the thoughts of the world), does not “stand in the way of sinners” (does not act like the world) and does not “sit in the seat of mockers” (does not join those who mock God). The blessed man, be he walking, standing, or sitting, does not conform his mind or actions to those of the godless.” 

Acting like the world and mocking God are both grievous sins in which we often fall into; however, I believe the temptation to allow the world to warp our very thoughts, particularly in our modern day in age, is especially dangerous.  Think about it.  Through the internet and TV, we receive a constant stream of advice telling us to place priority in a healthy lifestyle, to be utterly accepting of homosexuality, or to set personal happiness in the forefront of our lives.  When I personally analyze my own life while singing this Psalms, I often find that I have allowed music or the status quo of our culture to take hold of my thoughts.  This Psalms challenges us, Christians, to fight this most subtle temptation of allowing the ungodly to influence our very thoughts. The second verse paints a beautiful picture of a blessed man who finds delight in meditating on God's law and as a result abides in Him and avoids obeying the counsel of the ungodly.

Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? James 4:5

What can the Blessed by God Expect?
3He 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.  

We can see the sure security and prosperity of the blessed man who delights in God’s law.  God promises that if we seek Him though His word, we will be a like a well cultivated tree with a bountiful supply of spiritual sustenance; we will bear the fruits of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Ephesians 5:22-23 which will not wither and will cause us to prosper in all we do.  For it is not outward prosperity we seek but spiritual prosperity through which we can serve God.   I find great joy in this verse for it is my greatest wish, as it is for any Christian, to be able to faithfully serve God with His unwavering support and merciful blessing.

What can the Wicked Expect? 
4The ungodly are not so,
  But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 
5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
  Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 
6For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
  But the way of the ungodly shall perish. 

The great spiritual blessings in verse 3 do not apply to the wicked, and Psalms clearly intends to contrast the righteous and the ungodly.  While the blessed man is like a tree that cannot but help to flourish, the ungodly are described as chaff blown away by the wind.  The sinner will not be acquitted in the Day of Judgment and will not enter heaven; instead the sinner can only expect the wrath of God.  Just like in Ephesians 2:13 where the words “but now in Christ Jesus you who once were afar off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” brings relief by proclaiming our previous state of utter hopelessness, Psalms 1 shouts “The ungodly are not so,”.  Why ever choose sin over godliness?  Why ever reject the blessings of adoption through Christ for death?

While Reading or Singing this Psalm:

• Give glory to God for blessing His people.
• Examine yourself to make sure your life is only led by God’s law.
• Recognize that without Christ, you have no hope of being the blessed man (or woman).
• Give thanks that Christ has saved you and that, though you cannot obey this Psalm perfectly, Christ has done it for you.

Ask Yourself:

• Do I allow others, besides God, to counsel the way I live?
• Have I allowed sin to take hold of my life?
• Do I seek the friendship with the ungodly as a result of un-repented sin?
• Do I love the word of God and meditate on it constantly?
• Do I recognize the heavy consequences of sin?