Like A Tree

Psalm 1:1–6

Introduction

In this text, there is a poetic illustration drawn from nature that is applied to the person that finds their delight in the things of God. It is a sad reality when the people of God no longer see the value in delighting in him or his ways. Yet, the reality is that this is often the case.

Further, there is a warning given to the ungodly that have no desire to follow the ways of God. There is so much wisdom wrapped up in this short Psalm that when would do well not to merely gloss over it, but spend some time meditating on it.

The Interest of the Man (Psalm 1:1-2)

In the first part of this text there are two things that become apparent.

First, what this man must learn to abstain from.

Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

He does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. This man does not follow the advice of those that have no interest in making God a priority in their lives.

He is not interested in accompanying sinners to their destruction. The writer is obviously not telling the reader to ignore those that have rejected God. He is not telling them that we have no obligation to try to win them to the truth. Rather, this is a warning that no good comes from following in the way of the sinners. The Bible has much to say about those that do not fear God and walk in their evil of their own hearts.

Proverbs 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: But a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

A companion of fools. We must understand the terminology used in Scripture. When the Bible refers to “fools” it often is a reference to those that have rejected God and are interested in the pleasures of sin. They take no consideration of the condition of their souls and where they might spend eternity. Rather, their interest is solely in living in what they perceive to be the pleasures of this world.

Finally, the writer states that a man abstain from “sitting in the seat of the scornful”. This carries with it the idea of individuals that are content with being contentious. One man stated that these were “arrogant individuals who love conflict”.

Proverbs 22:10 “Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; Yea, strife and reproach shall cease.”

Second, what this man must find his delight in:

Psalm 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

This is an obvious reference to the word of God. The man that is has found his delight in the law of God and spends his time meditating upon it, has also found himself to be blessed.

The word blessed in verse 1 literally means to be “happy”.

This man has discovered where the true source of happiness in this life is found.

God’s word means something to him. Further, one could argue that it means EVERYTHING to him.

He has become so saturated with the word of God that it is what is constantly on his mind. I think every person here could relate to that concept. We become so interested in something or someone that the thing or person is all that occupies our minds.

I was talking to a missionary and he was telling me that he was trying to learn audio and video techniques and equpment for his ministry. He wanted to be able to create videos professionally so that he could send those to their supporters and show them what they have been doing on the mission field. He said that when he sets out to learn something, he spends hours on it, he becomes almost obsessed with it. He wants to learn everything there is to know about it, so that he can do it the best possible way.

This concept should be true of the child of God as well. I want to become so obsessed with God’s Word that it is all that I can think about. I want to dig so deeply into it that I become familiar with every aspect of it that I can.

I want to dig into God’s word because there are promises in there for me!

I want to dig into God’s word because there is information in there about the one that I love. I want to learn more about God’s nature, character, and person.

I want to dig into God’s word because in it I find lessons on how to live a life that is prosperous and causes me to flourish.

The Flourishing Man (Psalm 1:3)

The Bible is clear in this section regarding the outcome of the man that takes heed to the instructions given in the first part of the passage.

Psalm 1:3 “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Notice first that the verse compares this person to a “tree planted by rivers of water”. Because this true is planted by rivers of water it will bring forth its “fruit in its season”.

In other words, the tree that is planted by the life source is going to produce something that will become visible to everyone that looks upon it. When we inspect a fruit tree, it does not take long for one to realize that this is an apple tree, or this is a cherry tree, or this is a pear tree. It becomes evident when the fruit appears on the tree. The same is true of the man or woman that finds their delight in meditating upon the word of God. It will become abundantly evident when someone loves God and his word!

Hosea 14:7–9 “They that dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: The scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, And the just shall walk in them: But the transgressors shall fall therein.”

However, for that tree to be able to produce its fruit, it must be drawing from a source that gives it life. It does not take us long when we examine a dead tree that was once alive and thriving to determine that somewhere along the way the life source was cut off.

Notice that the word rivers in the text is plural, not singular. For those that are planted there is no shortage of the life giving source!

John 7:37–39 “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

Notice second that whatever this person does will prosper.

Now, I am not hear to preach a prosperity gospel, nor do I believe in such a thing. When Scripture talks about the prospering of this person that finds their delight in the law of God, I do not believe this is talking about financial or social prosperity. What I believe it is talking about is a life of flourishing where they enjoy the fullness of the love of God.

It almost seems like this idea of prospering carries with it the concept of maturity in one’s walk with God. If we allow ourselves to be cut off from the life source, we cannot hope to mature or flourish. But those that continue to drink from that source of life will find maturity. They will find flourishing. They will grow in their walk with God and move closer to him daily. They will produce their fruit. That fruit will become evident to those around them. There is only one way to live a fulfilled, happy, and prosperous life, and that is to fall in love with God’s word!

The Fate of the Godly and Ungodly (Psalm 1:4-6)

We have already discussed that the godly will prosper and produce fruit. However, this passage also mentions those that reject God. It calls them the “ungodly”.

Psalm 1:4–6 “The ungodly are not so: But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: But the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

Notice in the final parts of this passage what the Bible says concerning the “ungodly”. The Bible compares them to something called “chaff” that the wind blows away. In ancient Bible times, chaff was the thin layer that covered a good piece of wheat. When a storm came through, it would easily blow that chaff off the wheat, and it would be blown away, leaving only the good part of the grain. This became an illustration for the righteous and ungodly. The ungodly are driven away and the righteous remain. Why? Because their delight was found in God’s word and it is upon that word that they stand.

The Bible says that the ungodly will not be able to “stand in the judgment”. In other words, they have no defense. They will be condemned because of the sin that they allowed to dominate their lives. The Bible says that these ungodly “have no place among the godly”. In other words, there is a division. Those that are ungodly will find condemnation and be divided from the godly.

Matthew 3:10–12 “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

This passage from Matthew paints a very grim picture of the trees that fail to produce fruit. The ones that have refused to take heed to the warnings given in the first part of Psalm 1. They will be cut down. The final part of Psalm 1:6 tells us that these ungodly will perish. The great judge will purge his floor and only take to himself those that have produced fruit. Those that have lived godly.

Yet, Psalm 1:6 reminds the reader as the chapter is being closed out that God knoweth the way of the righteous. In other words, God watches over the godly and he knows exactly where they are.

You can take comfort in that truth if you find your delight in the law of God. Because you will be familiar with that truth. We are told such things in:

Psalm 139:2–3 “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways.”

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; And he knoweth them that trust in him.”

2 Timothy 2:19 “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

Conclusion

God knows who you are. He knows everything about you! You can take courage in him and his word because he has given you precious promises that he wants you to claim! You can produce fruit. You can prosper. Just as a tree flourishes when its roots are connected to a water source, you can flourish in this life because God’s word is true!

Why don’t you try falling in love with his word again. Why don’t you try claiming the promises that he has given. Why don’t you moving from merely meditating upon God’s word to putting it into practice. I can assure you that you will find a life that flourishes as a result of the truths of God’s word!