Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
This is the first psalm in the Hebrew book of worship. David begins this psalm by speaking of how blessed one type of person is and how the wicked person is the exact opposite. He says that the wise and blessed man is the one who does not live by the advice of the wicked. This is the person who does not follow the advice of the world, or of people who do not know God. The world and the things of the world are quick to offer advice to us, but the blessed man does not follow it. He says that the blessed man is the one who delights in the law of the Lord. This means that the wise worshiper listens to God’s Word for instruction. He follows where God’s Word leads him. The blessed man does not do the things that the sinful world does. He does not stand in the way of the sinners. If we desire to be blessed by God and live a life that is a life of worship, we cannot live as those who do not know God. We cannot follow their advice; we cannot do the things that they do. This does not mean that we are any better than they are; it simply means that we listen to the Lord and follow Him. Not only are we to listen to the law of the Lord, but also we are to meditate on it day and night. This means that we are to learn it and think about it throughout the day. When we live this way, we allow the Word of God to root itself in our mind and in our heart. David says that the person living this way prospers in what he does.
David tells us that the Lord watches over the way of the righteous. God watches over those who are living the way that He wants them to live. As we read yesterday, God can provide for us and He can make sure we do not have enough. In verse 4 he says that the wicked are blown away in the wind. The patterns of this world and the ways of this world will be gone one day. They will not stand up in the judgment. The worshiper, the righteous man, the blessed man is one who listens to the advice from God’s Word. He is the one who does not do as the unbelieving world does. He does not live as though he has never met God. God blesses the life that puts Him first. As we respond to God in worship, we must understand that He knows what is best for us. We must get our advice from God’s Word. We must follow the path that He has set for us in His Word. This psalm that teaches us to worship is the first psalm in this book of praise and worship. It gives us the pattern for a life of worship.
- What advice does the world give to you on how to live and be happy?
- Do you follow the advice from God’s Word and make that your source to follow?
- What ways have you seen God bless you in your life through your obedience to Him?
Today, think about what advice you hear from the world, what is on social media, TV, and in the news. Compare what you hear to what God’s Word teaches.
A Pastor's Thoughts 