Psalm 1 is a great doorway to the New Year. Psalm 1 teaches us that there are two ways to do life. This is the Psalm of the two ways, the two destinies. Psalm 1 sets forth the way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly.
Verses 1 through 3 tell us about the way of the righteous and verses 4 through 6 detail the way of the ungodly. There are only two. Daniel says it this way: "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt" Daniel 12:2.
In Matthew we read these words: "Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it". Matthew 7:13-14.
In John we read: "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come forth: those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation". John 5:28-29. While there are many thoughts about life, there are truly only two ways. And while the Bible is very clear about the two ways, it is even more careful to point out that only one of those two ways will bring happiness to one's life.
Most of us spend a lot of time trying to find happiness. We're all involved in the pursuit of happiness. The Bible is very clear to tell us we should not take God out of the picture or we will not have joy. Psalm 16:11 says: "God, you'll show me the path of life; and in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore".
Now let’s move onto Psalm 1. This is a very special Psalm. It begins in verses 1 through 3. The way of the Righteous: In describing the way of the righteous, the Psalmist tells us five general things about these people.
A. The Righteous follows in the godly path:
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3
The first verse portrays the characteristics of a righteous person, highlighting their steadfast refusal to engage in sinful behavior.To be ungodly simply means to live your life without God. If you are unhealthy, you are without health. If you are ungodly, you've decided to do life without God.
The blessed person is one who purposefully avoids harmful influences that block true happiness and spiritual growth. These negative influences are toxic and destructive, preventing fulfillment and peace. "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly". Don't get yourself involved in relationships and in situations where the influence in your life is dragging you into a wrong path.
B. The Righteous have a deep appreciation for the Scriptures:
Another important lesson we learn about the righteous is their deep appreciation for Scripture. The godly person’s "delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2). As a result, they are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, its leaves never wither, and whatever they do prospers (Psalm 1:3). This shows that the righteous person's heart finds joy in God's Word, meditating on it continually and allowing it to guide their life.
Here we learn that the man who is walking on the righteous road is a blessed man because he finds joy in the Word of God. He reads the Word of God because he wants to learn how to please God. You will only delight in God's law if you delight in God himself. The person who delights in the law of the Lord does not study the Bible to find the bare minimum of Christian living, but to deepen their relationship with God and grow in His truth.
Let me show you how truly powerful- the Word of God can be. Over the past year, I’ve been memorizing a large portion of Scripture, and through this process, I’ve learned something valuable: the Word of God is an effective weapon that provides relief and healing to my soul, especially after a day filled with anxiety, struggles, and worries. So, I encourage you, brothers and sisters, if there is a verse or passage in your heart, meditate on it.
I love how Robert Morgan defines meditation. He describes meditation as the "Powerful practice of pondering, personalizing, and practicing Scripture.” Morgan’s description captures the depth and richness of engaging with Scripture. By “pondering” its meaning, “personalizing” it to our lives, and “practicing” its truths, we don’t just read the Word—we allow it to deeply influence and transform us. It’s a powerful way to let God’s Word become alive in our hearts and guide us in every area of life.
C. The Righteous habits are dictated by the Word of God:
Meditating on the Word of God daily is essential. The Bible should be the source of your strength. As it says, "Their heart delights in the Word of God.” (verse 2a) Notice, it’s not just that their heart delights in it, but their actions and habits are shaped by it as well.
The Psalmist says, "He shall be like a tree".(v3a) The tree represents the righteous man. Just as a tree is nourished by constant supplies of water, so the strength of a godly man is maintained by the supplies of grace that are drawn from the Word of God. How do you stay strong in your life? Don't try to do it on your own. Get strength from the Word of God.
D. Their Stability comes from God’s Word:
Number four, their stability comes from the Word of God. Notice the text says: (verse 3a) "Planted by the rivers of water.” The fruit tree being planted by the banks of the river suggests stability. The tree is firmly rooted in the soil so that when the storm comes, the storm does not destroy the tree.
How many of you know Christians who waver when faced with unexpected storms? That is because their foundation is not stable.Their relationship with the Lord is shallow, just an inch deep, so when the storm comes, their roots are too close to the surface, and the storm knocks them off course. The Bible tells us that when we realize the importance of sinking our roots deep into the soil of God’s Word, we become strong and stable.
E. Our spiritual Testimony comes from God’s Word:
When you examine a plant, the first indicator of its health is often the leaf. In Scripture, it says: "Whose leaf also shall not wither."verse. 3b The leaf serves as the outward testimony of the tree's condition, just as it represents the outward testimony of a person's spiritual health.
The leaf does not wither if it stays connected to the source. Just as a leaf remains vibrant when it's connected to the tree, so too will we remain strong if we stay connected—to God and His Word. Our strength, stability, spiritual testimony, and success all come from God's Word.
The Psalmist says that the blessed man has success in due time and whatever he does prospers. Why? Because he's connected to the source, the true source which is God.
A story about a man named Joseph Flacks who was visiting Palestine in the early 20th century, and he had an opportunity to address a gathering of Jews and Arabs and he decided to speak on the Psalm that I've spoken on today, Psalm 1. So he read it in Hebrew and then he asked, "Who is this blessed man of whom the Psalmist speaks? This man who never walked in the counsel of the wicked or stood in the way of sinners or sat in the seat of the scorners, who is this man"?
No one responded, so Flacks said, "Was it our great father Abraham?" A man stood up and replied, "No, it cannot be Abraham. Abraham denied his wife and told a lie about her."
"Well, how about the lawgiver Moses?" Flacks asked. "No," someone responded. "It cannot be Moses. He killed a man and lost his temper by the waters of Meribah."
Flacks then suggested, "Could it be David?" Another voice answered, "It was not David, because he committed adultery and murder."
There was a long silence. Then an elderly Jew stood up and said, "My brother, I have this little book here. It's called the New Testament. I've been reading it, and if I could be sure that it is true—I would say that the man of the Psalm1 is Jesus of Nazareth."
Indeed, Jesus is the embodiment of perfection. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You and I have no hope of living out this high calling in our own strength. It is He who lives in perfect communion with His Father.
As we walk with Christ, there are two things we need to be proactive about. First, stay in the written Word—read it regularly and meditate on it deeply. Second, remember that we are called to live out the Word of God in our daily lives. As James 1:22 says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." In conclusion, as we engage with Scripture, let our greatest aim be to draw closer to Christ, the living Word. Amen.
