Psalm One

The book of Psalms is a priceless treasure.  No doubt they were a source of great comfort and knowledge to those in the past.  Thankfully, God has seen fit to preserve these writings for subsequent generations.

From the very outset, the Bible student is privileged to glean great spiritual wealth from what we call Psalm one.  “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 planteth by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf 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 judgment, 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” (Psm. 1:1-6).

Please notice what has been called the progression of sin.  All too often man starts by being interested/tempted by things that he does not need (James 1:12-16).  He allows that interest to influence him to associate with people and things that corrupt him.  He might not be so brazen at first.  He might just start by witnessing and listening to the sinful behavior of others.  “Walking” “…in the counsel of the ungodly…” does not seem so bad to him.  We should never forget that “…evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Cor. 15:33).  Also, Amos warned “Can two walk together, except they be agreed” (Amos 3:3)?

It is then that he may cease just to “walk”, but instead begin to “stand” “…in the way of sinners…”.  In so doing, he follows down a path that leads him to a point where he becomes more enamored with his temptations and lusts.  Now he is no longer satisfied with a casual observance/association with sin.  He has allowed himself to be influenced so strongly, that he is numbered with the “sinners”.

As if that is not bad enough, it is then that the progression leads him to “sitting” “…in the seat of the scornful”.  He now is the bad influence.  It is he that some other person “walks” along to witness.  He has become the one that has convinced another to “stand” with him in his evil doings.  He now occupies the “seat”!

Thankfully, we do not have to follow such a path.  We can instead choose to be “blessed”.  To achieve that distinction, the Psalmist informs us that we should be diligent students of the Word of God.  As he put it, the “blessed” man is greatly pleased/delighted with God’s Word.  He takes ample time to study and ponder the Scriptures.  This sentiment is shared in the New Testament as well.  Paul instructed Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).  If we truly want to be “blessed”, then we need to devote ourselves to a study of the Word of God.

The “blessed” man can find comfort and strength in learning that he will be strong and “fruitful”.  He can begin each day with optimism, and end each night with satisfaction.  It is he that can “…boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:6).

However, the “ungodly” do not have such assurance.  Instead they have made choices that will ultimately lead to their destruction (Matt. 25:31-46).  All of the “walking”, “standing” and “sitting” that they have done will catch up to them.

So let us appreciate the book of Psalms.  Let us devote more time to the study of all of God’s Word.  As we have learned, we become “blessed” for so doing.

In closing, be honest with yourself.  If Judgment Day were today, in which group would Jesus place you?  Are you confident that you are “blessed” to be in the number of the sheep?  Maybe you know that instead you would be found as an “ungodly goat”.  You still have time to switch positions.  You can do what God’s Word commands in order to be saved.  You can be a “blessed” person!
~ Corey Barnette