1Blessed 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; 2but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. 3He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.
Psalm 1:1-3
Psalm 1 opens the Psalter with a clear choice. There are two ways to live, and both have a drastically different outcome — the way of righteousness that leads to life, those who love God and His Word, and the way of the wicked, those who reject God. Today, we will consider where we’re rooted and what way we are walking in.
The Blessed Life
The psalmist describes the “blessed” man as one who refuses to follow sinful influences. He avoids walking with the wicked, standing with sinners, or sitting with scoffers (v. 1). This isn’t just about avoiding outward sin but about not letting anything other than God shape our lives.
Instead, the “blessed” delights in God’s law and meditates on it day and night (v. 2). “Delight” here suggests joy and deep satisfaction. God’s Word isn’t a burden for the “blessed” but a treasure. When we spend time in Scripture and meditate on it — focusing on the God of the Word, it shapes our hearts and brings us closer to Him.
This life is compared to a tree planted by streams of water (v. 3), well-watered and thriving, bearing fruit and standing firm even in harsh conditions. This “blessed” life is nourished by God’s Word, producing fruit and remaining steadfast through difficulties and trials.
The Peril of the Wicked
In contrast to the tree, the “wicked” are described as chaff — weightless and useless, blown away by wind (v. 4). Their lives lack purpose and stability. They won’t be able to stand in the judgment or belong in the assembly of the righteous (v. 5). The path of the wicked ultimately leads to destruction.
Seeing Jesus in Psalm 1
Ultimately, Jesus is the only One who is truly righteous and perfectly matches the “blessed” man described in Psalm 1. He lived a sinless life, delighted fully in the Word, and bore eternal fruit through His life, death, and resurrection. The only way for us to be counted as righteous is through faith in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). The only way for us to live the “blessed” life described here is to be filled and empowered by His Spirit.
Reflection
Psalm 1 challenges us to examine where we are headed and in what we find our delight. Ask yourself: are you rooted in God’s Word, drawing life and sustenance from Him and His Word, or is your delight in the futile, fleeting things of the world?
We are called in Psalm 1 to meditate on Scripture, finding nourishment in Christ, the perfect and righteous One. May we find ourselves rooted in His living water, equipped to flourish and bear fruit.
The #dailyPSALMSchallenge gives us the opportunity to start 2025 in God’s Word by digging into a psalm a day. Each day will identify a key passage for us to meditate on as well as seeking to help us see Jesus in the psalm and reflect on what we have read.
Won’t you take the challenge?
Just Keith Harris 