PSALM 1:4–6 The Perishing Way
READ: PSALM 1:4–6 (MATTHEW 12:33–42)
Morning Story: The rebellion of Korah
V. 6 “But the way of the wicked will perish.”
V. 6 “But the way of the wicked will perish.”
Which way are you going in life? The Psalter’s first poem tells us there are only two possible ways anyone can live: the way of the righteous or the way of the wicked. One leads to life and the other to death. Psalm 1’s opening word of blessing is balanced by its closing word of warning: the way of the wicked will perish.
But who are the wicked? What is their way, exactly? We might think of pagans like the Philistines, those outside of Israel who worshipped other gods. And certainly, such people are included among the wicked and are lost apart from God (Eph. 2:11–22). But they’re not the only ones. In fact, the psalmist is thinking first of covenant people, church members who turn their back on God and his word.
Such wicked people have heard God’s law but have no interest in meditating on it, much less practicing it. They are part of the congregation but their heart is in rebellion against God, like Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Num. 16:26). Sinners and scoffers are those who willfully make a habit of breaking the law of the LORD and even scorn it (Prov. 1:22). The Psalms are full of such wicked covenant breakers like Absalom (3:1), Cush (7:9), and the Ziphites (54:3).
So how about you? Are you like the ever-green and fruitful tree or are you like chaff that the wind of God’s wrath will one day blow away forever? You may be sitting in the pew every Sunday but do you truly walk in the way of the righteous every day of the week? From your heart, do you love the Lord Jesus Christ and serve him as your Saviour?
If not, now is the time to repent and trust in the sacrifice of Jesus, and he will make you righteous. You can still become blessed and happy.
But don’t wait. Judgment is coming and the wicked will not stand in it (v. 5). Jesus, who died for sinners, is about to return to judge sinners, and only those who believe in him, who have bowed the knee to him, will be spared. God knows the way of the righteous—and will give them eternal life—but the way of the wicked will perish, permanently (Matt. 25:46). Leave that dead-end street and walk on the only road that leads to life!
Copyright Restriction: Please visit website to purchase official copies.
Comments ()