Psalm 1 - Christian Prosperity

Introduction

New Years Resolutions

Every new year we make a resolution- for example:

Go to the gym

Kick an old bad habit

Start a new diet

Build a better budget

Read more books

Drink more water

Read the Bible in a year

Why do we make these resolutions: We desire Happiness and Prosperity

Many of us make news years resolutions every year because we usually want two things:

To be Prosperous

To be Happy

God’s Word gives us instruction on how we can be happy and prosperous in any situation

Now this prosperity is not meant to mean in a physical or material sense necessarily

This prosperity is one that is on the inside regardless of ones situation.

Our text today also teaches who is considered “blessed” according to God

One of our new year’s resolutions is we should desire to be looked at favorably in the Lord’s sight.

The Scripture - Psalm 1

Verse 1: “Blessed is the man who”

Psalm 1:1 ESV

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

Blessed = a stronger word than happy

One of the ways we can understand this is to see that this word in Hebrew can be translated as “blessed” or “happy”.

In other words it caries a similar meaning but to a higher degree

“enjoy well-being in every area of life” (Reformation Study Bible)

What the psalmist is saying is that “you will enjoy well-being in your life if you…”

“the man”

Hebrew word for man “ish” here is used to show that the “one” it is about to describe is the godly representative that we should follow.

“Not” - the negative - who ever does not do _____ is blessed (or happy)

The psalmist gives us a grand example by telling us what the godly person does not do.

“Walks not in the counsel of the wicked”

We are going to see an escalation of the wrongdoings

To begin the one first walks “in the counsel of the wicked”

The “walking” is like beginning to follow a wicked person’s counsel

The wicked person is anyone who is not for God and his decrees

Think of a child (little Timmy) who goes to school and he follows a suggestion by a group of bad kids that tell him to do something bad. Maybe he is not very will acquainted with them, but they nudge him on the shoulder and suggest he do something bad. Something that begins with something as simple as throwing a rock at a window that can be seen from the school playground.

The godly person does not and should not even listen to the suggestions given by the enemy to do evil.

“stands in the way of sinners”

The standing could be seen as the next step in the process

Little Timmy has now moved on from taking the suggestions of these bad kids and now is on a first name basis with them and now hangs out with them. Think of this “standing” as “standing in a group together.”

When you are at a party or some other gathering who do you stand around with? Your bros! Your gals! People that you like, you stand in the circle and you talk about whatever y’all are interested in!

We should not be standing with wicked people talking about wicked things

The godly person, the blessed one, does not make great friends with our come into agreement with those who would walk in a wicked way.

“sits in the seat of scoffers”

I believe the way we should see the “sitting” is as to mean that one is leading what they are doing.

Little Timmy is no longer just taking the suggestions of or hanging with the wicked people, he is now leading their little pack!

He is sitting in the head chair of all the scoffers, he is the one sitting in the back of the room making fun of the teacher as they teach. This person is the leader of the pack of bullies that go around school belittling others.

This is the leader of the pharisees that scoff at the teachings of the Lord. This is the atheist that desires to lead others in the wicked way. This is the person starting and pushing on the gossip train.

This is the person who does not honor the Lord and who the Lord shows no favor to. Though they may have status, material wealth, and even be seen highly in the eyes of men - the Lord sees them as wicked and the leader of those who do wicked things.

Recap: Blessed is the man who does not…

Blessed is the man who does not do these things says the Lord! Blessed is he who stays away from these things/people and does not participate in them. Blessed is the man who does not model his life after these people!

Verse 2: “his delight is in the Law of the Lord”

Psalm 1:2 ESV

2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

The man who is “blessed” (who will enjoy wellbeing in every area of life) does two things:

Delights in the Law of the Lord

Meditates on God’s law day and night

Delights in the Law of the Lord

“He is not under the law as a curse and condemnation, but he is in it as his rule of life” - Spurgeon

The one who finds great joy in studying God’s word

Psalm 112:1 ESV

1 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!

And because the Law of the Lord leads to Christ - the one who delights in Christ receives the same benefits.

Takes delight in the Lord’s covenant

When the Law of the Lord is used like this many scholars have made the connection that this also has to do with taking delight in the “Lord’s Covenant”

Now why is this significant? It leaves no room for human boasting

For the covenant is founded on God’s grace.

Therefore this delight that is taken in the “Law of the Lord” is beneficial for us because we too are in covenant with God as believers. We are in the New Covenant by the grace of God through the gift of His Son, Jesus.

This should lead us to worship God in thankfulness that we have been brought into the covenant by grace through faith.

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Because we are in the Law of the Lord and are not under it in condemnation we can find joy in it!

We do not have to study God’s Word, rather we get to study God’s Word

To grow as a christian you need to delight in the law of the Lord

It is crucial that we care about what his word says and that we chase after his will and decree

Meditates on God’s Law day and night

What does it mean to “Meditate on God’s Law day and night?”

It means that we ponder the teaching of God and his word at all times - that we study it often and store it in our hearts.

That our consideration of God’s word and the remembrance of his covenant would not only occur on Sunday, but that we would cary it with us at all times within our hearts.

What is the benefit of doing this?

Why should we meditate on God’s law day and night?

Psalm 119:11 ESV

11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Storing God’s word in your heart allows you to have ammo to combat the attacks of the enemy and to encourage others

When you lie awake in bed at night and cannot sleep do to the raging thoughts of anxiety that bring pain - you need to have the words of the Lord present and out there to help guard you.

Maybe you remember the comforting words of Psalm 46 where it reminds you that God is your refuge and your strength

OR when you start to think about past sins and guilt begins to set it that you would remember the promise made in Psalm 103:12, that the Lord has cast your iniquities as far as the east is from the west!

If you don’t delight in his law and then meditate on it - the blessing does not belong to you!

You will be thrown around like a ship in a great storm! You will be at the mercy of your human thoughts and human power - rather than being able to lean on the Lord properly!

Verse 3: A Tree planted that bears fruit

Psalm 1:3 ESV

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

A tree planted

Notice that the tree has been “planted” this tree, this love for the Lord, has been planted by God himself. It is not a wild tree that is there by happenstance, rather it is a tree that has been intentionally planted by God.

Charles Spurgeon, while talking about this verse, reminds us of the words of Matt 15:13 that teaches that every tree that God has not planted will be “rooted up”

Matthew 15:13 ESV

13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.

Yields its fruit

A tree that bears fruit does two things:

Benefits others

Duplicates itself

Benefits others

Fruit is not eaten by the tree - rather it is there for the benefit of others

Let us be good trees that bear spiritual fruits that others can reap and benefit from!

Duplicates itself

Trees grow fruit to spread seeds

By spreading seeds they make new trees!

Let’s be good trees that spread seeds of the gospel around!

Leaf does not wither

This tree will not waste away because it is firmly planted next to the flowing stream of God

All that he does, he prospers

Now there are different kinds of prospering

“It is not the outward prosperity that the Christian desires, but rather the inward soul prosperity” - Spurgeon

The Apostles Paul found contentment even though he was in prison through the power of Christ.

Verse 4: The Wicked are like chaff

Psalm 1:4 ESV

4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Chaff:

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 1

This is the husks and straw removed by threshing, and it is lighter than the edible kernels; when a farmer tosses threshed wheat into the air, the wind drives away the chaff. Those who reject God’s covenant are like chaff in that they bring no benefit to anyone

The wicked - those who are not planted next to the flowing stream of God’s Law - blow away!

Those who do not delight in and meditate on the Word of God blow away!

They are weak they cannot stand!

Shall we be like these people? You will be if you do not delight in his law! Who do not love the Christ?

When storms of disgrace and pain come you must have a firm foundation that you are rooted in! If you do not you will blow away!

Verse 5: The wicked will not stand

Psalm 1:5 ESV

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

A hope for the righteous and a warning for the wicked

I believe that this is referring to the final judgement

The only congregation in heaven will be a perfect one - void of sin and death.

Verse 6: The Lord knows

Psalm 1:6 ESV

6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Knows

Would it be better that you know God or that God knows you?

The demons know God - and even believe! (James 2:19)

James 2:19 ESV

19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Will you be known by the Lord today?

Will you delight in His Law?

Will you meditate on His counsel?

Will you believe in His Son?

Conclusion

Will you delight in the Lord and His Word?

Will you resolve to meditate on His Word day and night?

Will you bear fruit for the Lord and others?