Introduction

Read Psalm 1:1-6

The Psalm begins with the phrase, "Blessed is the man" or "Happy is the man." We all want happiness. But some look for it in all the wrong places and things. Some seek it in jobs, money, new homes and cars, sex, alcohol, and even drugs. These things are all temporary. What about lasting happiness in spite of circumstances? How is it that some people who are in the worst of life's circumstances still claim to be blessed, happy, and joyful?

In this passage, the Psalmist describes the person God blesses or the happy person. But he also describes the person God condemns. First, let's look at the person God blesses.

I. The Person God Blesses (verses 1-3)

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers."

The psalmist says that a person is blessed if he does not do one kind of thing but instead does another. The person who wants to be blessed must not walk down the road of those who rebel against God, have no fear of God, and consider themselves above God's law. Instead, a person who wants to be blessed must live wisely in his relationship with God, delighting and meditating on God's Word.

A. A Person Who is Separated from the World (vs.1)

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers."

1. A person who is separated from the world will not walk in step with the wicked. We must avoid the counsel of the wicked or ungodly. We must not live our lives like the rest of the world.

The word "wicked" refers to those who are morally loose and without God as an anchor. We are to avoid counsel from those who do not have God as an anchor.

2. A person who is separated from the world will not stand in the way of sinners. "Sinners" refers to those who have deliberately chosen a way of life contrary to the will of God. The man of blessedness chooses to direct his life by God's will. We should not stand with these people and hold their ideas.

3. A person who is separated from the world will not sit in the company of mockers. "Mockers" refers to those who actively put down the things of God and His Word. We mock the Word when we fail to obey it and align our lives accordingly.

How should we stand:

- We should stand in awe of God.

- We should stand firm in our faith.

- We should stand together with other believers.

B. A Person Who Is Saturated With The Word (vs.2)

"But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night."

We should find delight in God's Word and meditate on it day and night. Meditating means to think about and allow God's instruction to shape our thoughts and actions.

C. A Person Who Is Situated By The Waters (vs.3)

"That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers."

Being like a tree portrays stability, growth, and time. The spiritual life of the believer is dependent on the abundant supply of God's Word, His Spirit, His peace, grace, and righteousness. We are like trees planted by streams of water.

A tree also produces fruit and remains healthy. The blessed person produces the fruit of the Holy Spirit and remains spiritually healthy.

The blessed person prospers because they seek God's will and align their lives accordingly.

II. The Person God Judges (vs.4-5)

"Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous."

The wicked are like chaff, which is worthless and burned. This pictures the futile, empty, and worthless life of the godless, as well as their future judgment. Only those who have the righteousness of Christ can stand before God's throne.

III. Two Ways (vs.6)

"For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction."

Men are blessed or condemned based on the way they choose to walk. There are only two ways to choose from, and every person is in one way or the other. The way of blessing is the way of righteousness, which involves avoiding worldly wisdom and actions and pursuing intimacy with God through His Word.

Conclusion

Psalm 1 teaches us that true happiness and blessing come from living a life separated from the world, saturated with God's Word, and situated by His abundant provision. The wicked will face judgment and destruction, while the righteous will be watched over by the Lord.

Let us choose to walk in the way of righteousness, delighting in God's Word, and meditating on it day and night. May we be like trees planted by streams of water, producing fruit in season and remaining spiritually healthy. In doing so, we will experience the true blessing and happiness that comes from a life lived in obedience to God.

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