God’s Life-giving Word
TRANSLATION
(1) Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, who does not (stand) in the way of sinners, and who (does not) sit in the seat of mockers. (2) Rather his delight is in the law (Torah) of Yahweh, and in his law he meditates day and night. (3) He (is) like a tree planted by channels of water which bears its fruit in season and whose foliage does not fade. All that he does prospers. (4) (It is) not so with the wicked who are like chaff which the wind scatters. (5) Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous, (6) for Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
OBSERVATIONS
Several words were repeated for emphasis in this very first psalm. “The wicked” occurred four times (vss. 1, 4, 5, & 6). “The way” was mentioned three times. Twice it was “the way of sinners/wicked” (vss. 1 & 6) and once “the way of the righteous” (vs. 6). The contrast between “the way of the righteous” and “the way of the wicked” brought the psalm to its climax in the final verse.
“The law” (Torah) was used twice (vs. 2). “The righteous” also occurred twice (vss. 5 & 6). These repetitions suggest that the author was presenting his readers with two contrasting approaches to life, one righteous and the other wicked, one that leads to prosperity and permanence and the other that leads to futility and death. What makes the difference is the Word of God.
OUTLINE
I. Those who delight in God's law will flourish. (1-3)
II. Those who fail to delight in God’s law will perish. (4-6)
IDEA STATEMENT
How we relate to God’s Word will determine the value of our earthly lives as well as our eternal destiny.
APPLICATION
Psalm 1 serves as the entryway to the entire Book of Psalms. It bears testimony to the value of devoting ourselves to a study of the Scriptures, first to the Torah, the first five books of Moses which were mentioned specifically, and then, by implication, to all 150 psalms found in the Psalter, each one an inspired poetic meditation based on the truths revealed in the Torah. Just what are the benefits of such a study? The psalmist mentioned two great blessings for which all our hearts yearn, prosperity and permanence. The first spoke of fulfilling our potential during the brief years we spend on earth. God promised that he would cause us to prosper if we live according to his Word. Just as a tree, planted near water in nutritious soil flourishes and bears abundant fruit for many years, so will we flourish and bear much spiritual fruit for the duration of our lives if we devote ourselves to mastering his Word.
The second blessing anticipated something even greater, namely, the prospect of eternal life in God’s presence forever. The statement, “for Yahweh knows the way of the righteous” (vs. 6), implied that God not only knows everything about our lives here on earth but has also determined our future destinies. Consider God’s promise expressed through Jeremiah: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11). The more we absorb God’s Word into our lives, the more prepared we will be to fulfill our destinies here on earth and in our future heavenly home.