Psalm 1

"Blessed is the man" (vs. 1-3)--The term “blessed” (v. 1) doesn’t indicate “happy,” as is sometimes thought. That would make some “beatitudes” sound ridiculous: “Blessed are they that mourn” (Matt. 5:4) is somewhat contradictory. The idea behind “blessed” is “well off in God’s sight.” Here is the one who has put himself into a position to be “blessed” by God. The Lord doesn’t really care if we are happy or not, as long as we are obedient. I’m being a little unpolished in that statement, but truly our emotions are not the most important thing in our relationship with God.

Anyway, in Psalm 1:1 the “blessed” man is the one who avoids the contagion of sin and sinners, and finds his delight in righteousness and the word of God. Notice the progression of sin in verse 1: “walks…stands…sits.” It becomes easier and easier to sin the more we find ourselves in the company of those who practice it. No, we are well off if we “delight” and “meditate” on God’s law (v. 2). That doesn’t mean we sit and read our Bibles 24 hours a day; but it does mean that we think about it, consider how it should apply in our lives, and find great…happiness?…in studying and applying it. Again, being obedient to God may not always bring the “happiness” our fleshly nature craves, but there is a peace of mind in knowing we have done as God wills. And the Lord sees and rewards: “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” (v. 3). A lovely figure.

"The ungodly are not so” (vs. 4)--They “are like the chaff which the wind driveth away” (v. 4). A useless, vapid life. What good is chaff—the husk of corn or wheat which has been separated from the grain—especially after the wind has scattered it? What a picture of emptiness and futility!

Separating the righteous and the wicked (vs. 5-6)--Jehovah will simply not let the wicked abide with the just (v. 5). "For the Lord knows”—approves, directs—“the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish”—will come to naught and result in eternal perdition (v. 6). A simple Psalm that establishes the theme of the book, yea, in one sense, of the entire Bible.