Psalm
1:1-3 Blessed is the man who does not
walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the
seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he
meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which
yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does
prospers.
A psalm of
confidence
Psalm 1 is
viewed as the introductory psalm for the entire book of Psalms. It contrasts
the ways of the righteous and the wicked. The psalm describes the people of God
as those who receive the blessing of righteous salvation from God while the
wicked sinners turn away from the revealed will of God. The Law gives the
parameters for daily living and security. The Law brings out our best because it
guides us in decisions that are morally important and in accord with God’s
will.
The entire
collection of 150 psalms gives evidence to the ways of the righteous followers
of God and the ways of those who follow the world. The contrast in this psalm
is between the wicked and those who delight in the law of the Lord. The
righteous take their direction in life from God’s written Word. The
unrighteous, the wicked, take their direction in life from other people and
never from some old dusty book like the Bible.
How we
prosper in life is a direct result of our efforts as they line up with God’s
Word. The obedience of a faithful man or woman to God’s Word will bring a life
that is complete and fulfilling. The prosperity spoken of is one in character
not material possessions. This is evident from the first verse as it address
the need for us to avoid the wicked, the sinners and the mockers around us.
Such people have a mind set on the world they see and the world they strive to
control. Their rewards are only from this world and are measured by the
quantity gained.
Seek the
prosperity found in a relationship to God: happiness, joy peace, patience,
kindness, gentleness and love. This prosperity will bring you fullness and the
world God intended for you.
