Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed Is the Man
READ: PSALM 1:1–3 (DEUTERONOMY 30:15–20)
Morning Story: PSALM 1 Link
V. 1 "Blessed is the man who walks not . . ."
Did you notice that the first word of the first psalm is a word of grace? “Blessed is the man!” Blessing is never something earned—it’s always a gift from God. So God’s undeserved favour rests upon a certain person—a message that will echo throughout the Psalter. But what kind of person? Is this blessing for just anyone?
No. The inspired poet tells us first what such a man (or woman) does not do: he doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked. That means he doesn’t seek their advice. He’s aware of those who hate God and have no use for his law and he’s careful not to follow after them or hang around with them as if they were buddies. Why? Because he knows that bad company ruins good morals (1 Cor. 15:33).
The poet is not speaking here about sharing the gospel with unbelievers—something we are called to do. He’s talking about not keeping company with those who have rejected the Lord (Ps. 26). The Lord Jesus struck this balance, didn’t he? He certainly interacted with prostitutes, tax collectors, and hypocrites but he called all of them to repentance, and none was allowed to influence his walk. Far from joining them in their sin, he called them out of it.
What kind of friends do you have? Whose advice do you seek and which pathway are you walking in life? We’re all tempted to give in to sin and live our own way. We have to fight our natural desires, which is why the psalm starts with a “not” rather than a positive “do.” True happiness begins when we say “no” to our sinful hearts.
But make no mistake, the blessed person also does something. He delights in the law of the LORD! “Law” here includes God’s commandments but it really means all of the LORD’s instruction—his word. That word given through Moses already spoke of God’s saving grace, forgiveness of sins, a promised Messiah, and a great future for God’s people if only they would believe (Gen. 15:6). The Scriptures teach believers how to walk with their God out of love, how to show thankfulness by obeying his will. Such a person is blessed—happy and content deep in his soul.
God gives this to us through faith in his Son Jesus Christ. Trust and obey—it’s the only way to live.
Copyright Restriction: Please visit website to purchase official copies.
Comments ()