Psalm One serves as a template for the entire Book of Psalms. It describes two different lives: one righteous and the other ungodly. By starting the Psalms with the word "Blessed," the joys of obeying God are emphasized right from the beginning. What the blessed man does and refuses to do brings a beatitude upon him—a word of congratulations, so to speak, regarding his future because of his righteous walk in the path the Lord shows him.
He does not walk the path chosen by sinners. That rebellious route leads to destruction, but the path of faith and obedience brings blessings. The righteous man does not find joy where sinners do. His wisdom is not from the ungodly, nor does he take pleasure in sinners' activities. He stays away from sitting among skeptics and those who mock God and the faithful.
The law of the Lord reveals how our Lord is made known to God's people. The scriptures of truth are a special source of delight for a righteous person because they continually reveal truth to him. He understands what God desires from him and for him. He learns from His law and His word what brings pleasure to our God and how we can genuinely do that as an expression of love and gratitude. To a child of God who loves the Lord, His law is not a legalistic burden but a joy to the soul and a guide for daily life.
Our contact with unbelievers is to lift them out of the mire of sin and bring them from darkness to light. We do need to maintain contact with love and compassion as a witness for our Lord, but not join in with them in worldly or sinful practices, nor should we imitate what is accepted by the world. It is our calling and joy to demonstrate what life is like to those whom God has saved and made His sons and daughters. Our friendship and fellowship should be with the people of God.
The more we meditate and think about what we enjoy, the greater our delight in the God of our salvation and in experiencing our salvation. We reflect on and practice it throughout the day, and find comfort and rest in the law of the Lord at night.
The nourishment from God's word is like water to a growing tree, rising from its source into and through the tree. It defies gravity, pulling against the earth, and the tree is nourished and becomes fruitful as it draws nutrients from the ground, with the water distributing them to the right parts of the tree. When that watered tree brings water up into the heat and light of day, the fruit develops, and ultimately, it blesses others.
Prospering doesn’t mean we won’t face difficulties or experience failures. It doesn’t guarantee health, wealth, or even happiness. However, it does mean that our actions will be meaningful and carried out with divine approval, and that is what truly matters. The word of God in the hearts of His people encourages us to walk in the path of righteousness and to live our lives in godliness before our Lord and righteousness before others.
The ungodly are described in stark contrast. Instead of fruitfulness, there is only chaff. Chaff is useless. Animals won't eat it because there is nothing inside the empty shell. When the kernel of grain is removed from the husk, the chaff is not only empty but also lightweight, unstable, and easily blown away by the slightest breeze. It is carried along by the wind until it hits an immovable object, where it falls to the ground and rots.
The ungodly will have no place to stand in the coming judgment, nor will they have any part in the kingdom of God. The two paths before us lead to two different destinations. The Lord knows and cares for the righteous, and He also knows the end of the ungodly.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Perfect Righteous Man and is introduced as the "Blessed Man" right at the beginning of the book of Psalms. That being said, how wonderful it is for believers who can say, "Christ is our life," "For me to live is Christ," "Christ is our example, that [we] should follow His steps." It is within our responsibility to choose the way of the righteous, not the way of the ungodly.
THE GENESIS BOOK: Psalm 1-41, the first of the five books of Psalms. This book of Psalms is concerning MAN. Ps. 1-8. "Man" and "The Son of Man." [8:4] 9-15. "The man of the earth." The Antichrist [10:18] 16-41. "The Man Christ Jesus"
PSALM 1. Seven things are true of the blessed man.
1. Walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.
2. Standeth not in the way of sinners.
3. Sitteth not in the seat of the scornful.
4. Delight is in the law of the Lord.
5. Meditate therein.
6. Like a well-planted tree – restful and fruitful.
7. Prosperous – true of the Lord Jesus, Isa.52:13.
The Godly Life: v. 1. No compromise with evil: “Blessed”- happiness many times over because of the uncompromising purity of a righteous walk with God. He loves the Word of God; he loves fellowship with the Lord; he is guided by the Spirit of God. Erosion: Walk -- counsel – ungodly: casual motions of wickedness; flirting with ungodliness. Stand – path – sinners: marked out a path; certain; precise; taking a stand. Sit–seat–scoffers: permanently settling down. Lot is an example: Gen.13:11 – “journeyed eastward.” 13:12-13 – “pitched his tent toward Sodom”; 19:1 – “sitting in the gate of Sodom.” v. 2. The godly person delights in the Lord’s Word. It is not a burden or an interruption. It is his meditation. Ps. 119:97. “O how I love Thy law. It is my meditation all the day.” Josh. 1:8. “Make thy way prosperous.” “But” – a word of contrast; positive; no erosion. “Law” – an absolute standard; clear direction.
v. 1 – promise of happiness. v. 2 – means for experiencing happiness. v. 3 – results. v. 3. Be something rather than do something; no fanfare. “Planted” – fortified, stable, rooted, solid, strong. Never –failing supply of nourishment and refreshment. “Fruitful” – production, the natural result. Displays the graces of the Spirit in word and action. “Not withered” – even during difficulty. Spiritual life is not up and down but continuous. “Prosperous” – fulfills the goals God has designed.
The Ungodly Life: v. 4. The way of the ungodly: permissiveness; impurity. “Not so” – not well-planted; fruitful, enduring, nor prosperous. Lack body of substance; unstable; blown away; no leg to stand on. “Not happy”; no delight nor meditation on the Word of God; not like a tree; not fruitful. “Chaff” – husks; useless material. v. 5. “Therefore”: “not stand” (stand erect; arise) in the presence of God nor in the assembly of the righteous. v. 6. “The Lord”: He does the judging; the ungodly will perish.