Psalm 01 – The Way of the Righteous
Introduction:
If I just had _______________________, I would be happy?
5 Books (Psalm 1-2 set the foundation for the entire book)
Verse 1 | How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers:
• The Hebrew word esher is here translated blessed, which has the idea of happiness or contentment. Esher is a form of the Hebrew word ashar, which in its root means “to be straight” or “to be right.” Blessed is the man speaks of the happiness, the blessedness, the contentment in the life of the man or woman who is right or “straight” with God. The righteous man will be a blessed man, a happy man.
• “Blessed means supremely happy or fulfilled. In fact, in Hebrew the word is actually a plural, which denotes either a multiplicity of blessings or an intensification of them.” (Boice)
• The Psalmist is going to contrast the life of the righteous and the wicked.
• The Righteous does not: Follow (The Wicked) + Stand (With Sinners) + Sit (With Scoffers)
o There are certain places, attitudes and company believers do not engage in.
o Notice the progression of the relationship: Follow (Very Casual yet being influenced) + Standing (Aquaintance) + Sit (Intimate)
o There is a difference between those who are righteous and those who are ungodly in how they think, in how they behave and to whom they belong.
Verse 2 | His delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night:
• How beautiful is the Word of God.
• The Bible: Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth.
• The Word of God guides, protects
• My 1st flight (USAF) – Terrified of heights; I was never in control of the aircraft. I felt safe inside that 747. That’s what life is like when you truly surrender to the Word of God. It’s exhilarating.
• Never forget to Meditate on the Word of God:
• Day and Night – The Word should constantly be on our minds.
Verse 3 | He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its seasons…whatever he does prospers:
• The tree is planted close to where it finds its life / source (water). Thus, it has deep roots and is healthy – as evidenced by producing fruit and prospering.
• Sometimes I / we can become discouraged because we don’t see fruit being produced and thus following God becomes difficult. It’s important to note that producing fruit is a season.
Verse 4 | The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away:
• The Psalmist paints the picture that the ungodly are UNSTABLE!
• Jesus told Peter that he prayed against Satan who wanted to sift Peter (easily swayed) and Jesus changed his name from Simon to Peter (petros which means rock) So, Jesus was speaking life into Simon when he changed his name and was speaking stability into his life.
Verse 6 | For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin:
Matthew 7:24-27
• In Matthew chapters 5-7, Jesus delivers what is arguably his greatest sermon (Sermon on the Mount)
• He begins with: Blessed are and then goes on to paint the picture of what a follower of God looks like.
• He ends that sermon by describing the outcome of the righteous and the ungodly.
• Treasure the Word of God.
