Psalm 1

I do not claim to be original in this sermon. I got alot of information from other sources including sermons from Sermon Central.

Psalm Chapter 1

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 in all the wrong things. Some look for 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 lets look at the person God blesses.

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

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does 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. No 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 man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.”

1. A person who is separated from the world will not walk in the counsel of 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” is the Hebrew word [rasha]. It’s root idea is “to be loose or unstable.” This word carries two ideas. First it means to be loose with morals. It also means loose from God, without Him as an anchor or controlling device. It refers to those who are controlled by their own desires, emotions, and flesh rather than by the Word and Holy Spirit. We are to avoid counsel from those who do not have God as an anchor.

The Bible has a lot to say on how we should walk. (Start w/ a step of faith, leads to a walk.)

(1) We should ask God to show us how to walk. Psalm 143:8 says, “....teach me the way in which I should walk; for to You I lift my soul.”

(2) We should walk in truth (Psalm 86:11).

(3) In Ephesians 4:1-2 Paul says I “implore you to walk in a manner worthy of your calling with which you have been called, with all humility, and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love . . . .”

(4) We should walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16).

(Repeat and reemphasize how we should not walk and how we should walk.) We are not to walk in the counsel of the wicked.

We are to ask God to show us how to walk.

We are to walk in truth, love, and by the Spirit.

Now its not easy to walk according to scripture. I will take discipline, determination, and commitment.

2. A person who is separated from the world will not stand in the way of sinners. “Sinners” in Hebrew was an archery term and meant “to fall short or miss the mark.” The mark is the will of God. Sin is the transgression of God’s Law. We are all sinners. We have all missed the mark. This is why Christ had to die for our sins so we might have His righteousness.

But the word “sinners” here refers to those who have deliberately chosen a way of life, a path 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 and have their ideas.

How should we stand:

(1) Psalm 33:8 says, “Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”

(2) We should stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13).

(3) We should stand together with one mind and spirit (Phil. 1:27).

(Repeat and reemphasize how we should not stand and how we should stand.) We are not to stand in the way of sinners.