Psalm 1:3-4

Last week: Recap

Psalm 1:1–2 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; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Blessed = Human Flourishing

Blessed if you avoid the following

“Walking in the counsel of the wicked”

living ones life in a way where they are following the wicked’s advice

“Standing in the way of sinners” (standing around with sinners)

Who we surround ourselves with will effect our behavior, worldview, and personal choices.

“Sitting in the seat of scoffers”

For one to sit in the seat of scoffers means for one to scoff (or ridicule) at the law of the Lord

Blessed if you do the following

“Delight in the law of the LORD”

Love God’s law recognizing that it is not meant as a burden but rather guidelines for life

The law also points us to Christ by showing that we need a savior

The law of God reveals God’s character

Psalm 19:7–9 ESV

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

“Meditate on God’s law day and night”

Memorizing scripture and having it written on the tablet of our heart helps us love God more

Verses 3: Results of delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on His word day and night

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.

“He is like a tree planted ”

A tree that is planted is put in a place that has been picked with intentionality:

Picked specifically for the best outcome of the tree

The ground is prepared

The area around it is identified

“by streams of water”

This tree does not have only one source of water but rather multiple streams

If one dries up then there are others to feed off of

The Treasury of David, Volume 1: Psalms 1–26 Exposition

“By the rivers of water;” so that even if one river should fall, he hath another. The rivers of pardon and the rivers of grace, the rivers of the promise and the rivers of the communion with Christ, are never-failing sources of supply.

“that yields its fruit in its season”

Planted trees bear fruit:

Fruit of Salvation

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Fruit of practice and study

Those who meditate on and delight in God’s Word will be more prepared for the hard times when they come

“leaf shall not wither”

The Treasury of David, Volume 1: Psalms 1–26 Exposition

“His leaf also shall not wither;” his faintest word shall be everlasting; his little deeds of love shall be had in remembrance. Not simply shall his fruit be preserved, but his leaf also. He shall neither lose his beauty nor his fruitfulness.

“In all that he does, he prospers.”

This does not mean everything in your life will be perfect but rather you will be able to endure all things through the power of Christ.

Philippians 4:13 ESV

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

The Treasury of David, Volume 1: Psalms 1–26 Exposition

It is not outward prosperity which the Christian most desires and values; it is soul prosperity which he longs for

Verse 4: The result of being wicked

Psalm 1:4 ESV

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

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 1

chaff. 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

Chaff is easily moved by wind and can be removed easily

Those who do not delight in the law of the Lord and do the “negatives” from verses 1-2 are like chaff.