Psalm 1

THE FORK IN THE ROAD

Introduction

and 2 serve as the introduction to the Psalms, and introduces the tension between two types of people. serves as the initial introduction to the Psalms and juxtaposes two types of people: the godly and the ungodly, while serves as the culmination of these two groups of peoples in stark contrast to one another. In short, gives a snapshot of the lives of the godly and ungodly, and reveals what these groups look like as nations.

introduces those who are prospering and perishing, and the key is obedience or disobedience to the Word of God. As we will learn from the text, it is important where you get the information that guides and governs your life. Some of you are going to make a decision today that will change the course of your life, for this message will lead you to the proverbial fork in the road and you will be faced with a decision. There are only two ways in life, and you must choose which you will walk.

Body

I. PROSPERING PERSONS (1-3)

The person that accepts God’s way will prosper temporally and eternally, and there are three distinct marks of this person’s life:

A. Separated from the world (1). The prospering person will be satisfied with the life that is had by being in a right relationship with God, which is marked by not taking advice from the ungodly people of the world. There is a downward progression that is emphasized in the ungodly persons, and the prospering person avoids them:

1. Wicked. These people might actually seem like relatively decent people, but they do not enjoy a right relationship with God. The prospering person will not “walk” or live out their advice.

2. Sinners. Either ignorantly or intentionally, these people fail to obey God. The prospering person “stand” or halt and consider their “way” of life.

3. Scoffers. These people intentionally ridicule the people of God. The prospering person will not join in with the likes of these people. This trio of worldly people implicitly warns that sin hardens the heart and leads to a deadly embrace of blatant sin.

B. Saturated by the Word (2). As opposed to taking counsel from the perishing persons, the prospering person will both enjoy and meditate on the Word of God (). In Jesus’ prayer for the believers, he asked the Father to set them apart with his truth [Word] ().

C. Situated by the water (3). As a result of being saturated by the Word, the prospering person will be situated by the life sustaining water. There are three characteristics of this person, which is compared to a tree:

1. Planted tree. God will plant this person so that his roots will grow strong and deep through the constant exposure to the water.

2. Productive tree. The person’s life will produce fruit in due time. The Apostle Paul lists these fruits in as fruits of the Spirit. The person that produces these fruits will be useful for God.

3. Permanent tree. This person is steadfast and prospers in all that he does. Christians are to be tapped into the Word of God as he walks in the Spirit.

II. PERISHING PERSONS (4-6)

The person that accepts the world’s way will perish in the end. There are three things to look forward to:

A. Driven away as useless (4). The person that rejects God’s Word is useless, and therefore, will be blown away like chaff at the judgment. It should be noted that this person might not be some terrible person by human standards, but has just simply not lived in accordance to God’s Word, much like lightweight Christianity [= rejecting the Word].

B. Discerned at the judgment (5). God will discern the perishing person’s life at the judgment, and this person will not be among the assembly of those who have obeyed God.

C. Destroyed with his way (6). The Lord will not be fooled. The person that has rejected God’s Word has lived an entire life of rebellion [way], and that entire rebellious way of life – plus the person – will be destroyed.

Conclusion

There are two points of application in . First, I want to invite you join the way that prospers. The two persons depicted in Psalm1 are the first Adam and the second Adam. The first Adam sinned, while the second Adam – Jesus the Messiah – did not sin, but completely fulfilled the promise that is depicted in Psalm1. Jesus Christ was obedient, and as a result the Father raised him up to eternal life. What is exemplified in Jesus Christ is made available to everyone today. As states, “Whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus said in , “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Will you join the way?

Two, I want to challenge you to walk in the way that prospers. It is clear from this passage that the prospering person will get his or her advice from the Word of God, not the world.

prepares the way for a correct understanding of