Blessed is the Man...

I started a study on the book of Psalms today, and it put me in mind to share a Psalm with you. What better place to start than at the beginning with Psalm 1? It's one of the most widely-known Psalms, so you may be tempted to skim or breeze through it; please take the time to read it thoughtfully and meditate on what David is trying to tell us.

{Psalm 1} 

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. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish. 

David gives both positive and negative guidelines for the blessed man - what he does, and what he doesn't do. Simply put:

• He does not follow those who do not fear God. 
• He delights in the Lord and meditates on His Word. 

 These are the two basic principles to pattern your life after if you wanted to see the blessing of God in your life. Those who follow the way of the wicked will experience God's judgment; in contrast, God promises that He will cause the souls of the righteous to flourish.

In Psalm 1, David presents two ways of life: the way of the wicked and the way of the blessed/righteous. You and I must choose daily which path we will choose.


What other thoughts do you have on Psalm 1? What other principles, lessons, or contrasts do you see in this passage? Feel free to comment below.