Two men, two ways, two destinies: Psalm 1

Psalm 1:1–6 KJV 1900

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. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. 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. 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.

The Practice of the Blessed Man (Happy man) (vs 1-2)

Psalm 1:1 KJV 1900

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.

In verse one we see the practice of a blessed or happy man.

First we see the negative side. We are told that the happy man does not do these things and we begin to see a regression.

The word counsel here means advice. so we see that if you want to be a blessed man we would not heed the advice of ungodly friends and neighbors.

However, we see in verse 2 where we should get our advice

Psalm 1:2 KJV 1900

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night.

We should be getting that advice from the word of God and Godly men.

If you are saved then God speaks to you through his word and we speak to him through prayer. this is why If we want to grow into godly young men you MUST be in his word daily.

Ask who has read their bible every day this year.

Having daily devotions with God is so vitally important!

Because as we look at the next verse we see where the power to live a godly life comes from.

The Power of the Blessed Man (Happy Man) (v 3)

Where does the power come from?

Psalm 1:3 KJV 1900

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.

The Happy man will be like a tree planted by rivers of water. The word rivers is the superlative in the Hebrew; it is the hyperbole for abundance. The blessed man is planted, given plenty of water, and becomes a fruit bearing tree. God’s treen are “planted” trees. They are not wild-growing trees by any means. I think this picture refers to salvation and being born again.

Isaiah 61:3 KJV 1900

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, To give unto them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they might be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

God doesn’t use wild grown trees. His trees are born again, taken up and set in God’s garden- set out by the rivers of eternal water!

Young people you are either the blessed man growing in the grace of God or you are the ungodly giving the unwise counsel. Think about that for a moment.

In addition to all of this the verse tells us that “What ever we do will prosper.” I promise you that if you will dedicate your life to Christ and surrender all to him than you will be a success. Maybe not in the eyes of the world with a lot of money, nice cars, and a big home but in the eyes of eternity you can be a success!

Notice the last few verses with me. We see here...

The Permanency of a Blessed Man (Happy Man) (vs 4-6)

The word permanence means: having positive, healthy, nurturing relationships with adults who provide emotional, financial, moral, educational, and other kinds of support as youth mature into adults. Ideally, permanency takes the form of a relationship that has a legal component that provides a parent-child relationship.

Notice the insecurity of the ungodly vs 4-5

Psalm 1:4–5 KJV 1900

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.

Thru the Bible Vol. 17: Poetry (Psalms 1–41) Permanency of the Blessed Man

Two men, two ways, two destinies. One is a dead–end street; it leads to death. The other leads to life. God says what is right and what is wrong. We are living in a day when folk are not sure what is right or wrong. God is sure. His Word does not change with every philosophy of a new generation.

Two men, two ways, two decisions. One is a dead-ens street; It leads to death. the other leads to life. God says what is right and what is wrong. We are living in a day when people are not sure what is right or wrong. But God is sure. His Word does not change with every philosophy of a new generation.

Hebrews 13:8 KJV 1900

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Notice the last verse with me as we close.

Psalm 1:6 KJV 1900

For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

The ungodly will perish. The Bible tells us in

Proverbs 10:28 KJV 1900

The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: But the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

However, as Christians we are told in

Matthew 7:13–14 KJV 1900

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

We are encouraged to take that narrow road! It wont be easy sometimes but God always helps us through! Christ tells us in

John 10:10 KJV 1900

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Conclusion:

What an amazing picture of the blessed and happy man that is presented in the first Psalm. So, now you are faced with a decision young men. will you follow God or listen to the advice of the ungodly?