All 150 Psalms bring both unique and in-common connections for our relationship with our King. Most are written by King David, as well as sons of Korah and assorted others. Even Moses had his own “song” (Psalm 90 – pretty cool). All of the Psalms were musical and designed for praising God and teaching the people about His ways. Hint: they sounded quite different than what most of us are used to!
Psalm 1 is truly a big picture preview of all the Psalms. It provides perhaps one of the greatest contrasts in life – let’s take a look.
Escaping the way of arrogance:
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.” We are encouraged to pursue a road less traveled, avoiding the advice and example of people who choose bad counsel or live in the pain and emptiness they cause. This results in “scoffing” where we consider ourselves superior to others and unaccountable to God for anything.
The Rx:
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” Instead we are offered the path of peace which comes from obedience. By being taken with all things God we exchange scoffing for delight, and a lifestyle of contemplating rich life rather than ultimate futility.
The Result:
“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” Deep roots. Lasting fruit. A life of lasting honor rather than empty weakness.
The Contrast:
“The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” No substance. No joy. Only self-gratification. Limitation of the mind, soul, and spirit.
It is difficult to assign wickedness to any soul – yet this is part of the black and white view the Lord God teaches. Jesus spends much time exposing the nature of goodness and how it originates from God Himself:
“As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, do not commit murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother. And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.” Mark 10:17-22
What this means is those who are firmly planted find expansive ways for growing life. Hence – deep roots in what and Who is Good. Conversely the wicked have shallow roots and bear fleeting fruit.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell — and great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27
Being firmly planted is satisfying and productive and provides enduring growth – beyond this life and into the life to come!
Selah!
Dave and Burnadette
More:
Garden to Garden
My Intentional Life