A Story of Two Men

A STORY OF TWO MEN

SCRIPTURE:           PSALM 1

INTRODUCTION.

        A study of any portion of God's Word is profitable, for inbreathed by the Holy Spirit, it is designed to communicate the love and instruction of God to man.  The Psalms, however, are unique within the Holy Scriptures for a number of reasons, chiefly because of the tender and sensitive way in which many of them reveal the human soul in its quest for God.

        Psalm 1 sets forth the character and lifestyle of a righteous person.  This "good man" described here does not "freewheel"; that is, he has some rules, some standards by which he lives.  He doesn't take his cues from what those about him are doing.  Then, by contrast, the "unrighteous man" is also described in the psalm.  Consequently, there are both light and darkness, good and evil, cast side by side in this introductory psalm.

I.      THE RIGHTEOUS MAN (VS. 1-3).

        A.     The psalm opens with a benediction:  "Blessed."

        B.     The righteous person determines to renounce the companionship of evildoers.

                1.     One's "walk" is a typically scriptural definition of one's daily life and conduct.

                2.     The "ungodly" are those who ignore God and hold no respect for nor fear toward Him.

                3.     Not only does the righteous refuse to "walk" in the counsel of the ungodly, neither will he "stand" in the way of sinners.

                4.     The posture of "sitting" denotes decision and resolution.  To "sit" with scorners means that one has identified with and cast his lot with them.  The "scorners" are those who openly reject God and fling their accusations at Him.

        C.     The positive character of the righteous person is set forth in verses 2-3.

II.     THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAN (VS. 4-6).

        A.     The "ungodly" person is he who has consciously and deliberately made his choice to reject God.

        B.     Because of his total moral irresponsibility, such an individual will not be able to "stand in the judgment."

        C.     Furthermore, there will be no place for him "in the congregation of the righteous."

        D.     "The Lord knoweth."  Only God can pass judgment.

CONCLUSION.

        Obviously, the pattern for the believer to follow is set forth in the lifestyle of the righteous man.  "The law of the Lord" was his daily bread, even though, in David's day, the volume of spiritual inspiration was exceedingly small.  Today we have God's full revelation in the Scriptures.  Few have committed very much of it to memory, or even meditate on it sufficiently for the Holy Spirit to hide it in their hearts so that He can bring it to their remembrance in times of need.  It is possible to claim a "negative Christianity" by not "walking in the counsel of the ungodly."  But the positive side must be followed.  We mist "delight in the law of the Lord."