Psalm 1
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.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 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.
4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Here is the entrance to the psalms. For centuries the psalms have served as the prayer book of the followers of God, first for the Jews and then for Christians. But this first psalm is not really a prayer. It simply shows the condition of heart necessary to enter into the psalms. And conversely it shows the condition of the heart that cannot enter into this sacred journey offered in the psalms.
The one who can enter into these prayers is the one who delights in the Lord. They are depicted as a tree planted by streams of water. Like a tree planted next to a stream, the person depicted here is planted firm in the word of God and receives continual nourishment. This creates a life of richness and fullness and much fruit. Certainly, the storms will come but the roots are planted deep in God and keep the tree from toppling over. Dry seasons may also come but they do not whither because of the sustenance found in God.
But not so the wicked. They certainly will not be able to enter into the prayers of these psalms, of adoration and trust; of celebration and thanksgiving; or even of lament. They are depicted like chaff that the wind simply blows away. They do not withstand the storms or grow from them. They are tossed about and become increasingly hardened to the grace and help available in God.
The tree stands, while the chaff is blown away.
This first psalm can show us the condition of our own heart. Are we ones who delight in God and desire His word day and night? Or would we rather sit in the seat of mockers?
It is not too late to be planted next to the living streams of water. God can transplant us there. Pray to God for a heart that delights in Him. Make the dwelling place of your heart to be in His word. If you do, you will be able to enter into the prayers of the psalms and take that sacred journey from praise to lament and back again.
Blessings, Scott for Wellspring © copyright 2008
