Variety: Psalm 1

Psalm 1

Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked 
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers, 
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, 
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season 
and whose leaf does not wither –
whatever they do prospers.

Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 1 wrestles with some of life’s big questions. One that continually crops up is, ‘How do I receive God’s blessing and live a righteous life?’  The Psalm responds by using two contrasting images.  

The first approach is to walk in step with other people. Like a good life hack you find online, this seems like a quick win. But trying to keep up with those around you actually slows things down. This person winds up standing on the same path as sinners and ultimately stagnant in the seat of scornful mockers, so jaded that they’re unable to engage with life except by pointing out its flaws.

But blessed is the one who finds joy in God’s word. Just ‘like a tree planted by streams of water’ (verse 3), their roots are deep in rich soil, saturated by God’s instruction. The opposite of a modern-day life hack, the tree doesn’t produce fruit instantly, but at its appointed time.  

As we pick up the Bible every day and make space for God to shape us, we’re choosing the slow way to the good life. When we take up new practices or renew old rhythms, it isn’t for instant success; it’s to root ourselves in the person who became the perfect fruitful life for us. As you discover Jesus through the Psalms, we pray you’ll be refreshed always and fruitful in time.

Bible Society