Blessed Are the Righteous
[ READ ] Psalm 1
The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked
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.
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.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
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.
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.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
King David sets the stage for the journey through the 150 Psalms in Psalm 1; the journey of a man (or woman), the journey of a nation, the journey of a Kingdom!
What are some things one initially notices about this journey in Psalm 1? The individual has to make choices along the way. He answers questions with his actions. Who will he walk with as he lives? Where will he walk, or sit, or stand? What will he delight in? What will he meditate on during his fleeting moments? Will he put down roots? If so, where?
King David tells us that how one answers these questions matters. They matter to the individual, to the family, to the nation, to God’s Kingdom. How one chooses to invest his time, energy, and resources will, in God’s design, have specific outcomes. Daily choices propel the direction of one’s journey.
Already in Psalm 1 we have many contrasting outcomes as a result of faithfulness over time to a way of living, to a way of answering these “simple” questions. One can become part of the righteous or the wicked. He can become like a tree or like chaff. He can find himself associated with counsel of the wicked or the congregation of the righteous.
When is the last time you and I have asked ourselves some of the questions Psalm 1 poses? As we choose daily, are we aware of where our choices are leading? God’s inspired Word reminds us!
Psalm 62:12 says the Lord will “render to a man according to his work.” Are your “works” and my “works” leading you and I to a blessed life? This Psalm in six short verses tells us what it should look like and how we can get there. And yet, though the words are brief, the application of them can be daunting.
Jesus was and is the ultimate “blessed” God-man. King David will point us again and again throughout the Psalms to the One man who made all the right choices. Jesus, alone, made a way for those who believe in Him, through His sacrificial life leading to His sacrifical death, powerful resurrection, and gifting/empowering of the Holy Spirit.
Clinging to Christ, living life hand-in-hand with Him, the way that delights Him, will lead us to the blessed, fruit-yielding life. Who or what are you and I clinging to today?
- Kim Williams
What are some things one initially notices about this journey in Psalm 1? The individual has to make choices along the way. He answers questions with his actions. Who will he walk with as he lives? Where will he walk, or sit, or stand? What will he delight in? What will he meditate on during his fleeting moments? Will he put down roots? If so, where?
King David tells us that how one answers these questions matters. They matter to the individual, to the family, to the nation, to God’s Kingdom. How one chooses to invest his time, energy, and resources will, in God’s design, have specific outcomes. Daily choices propel the direction of one’s journey.
Already in Psalm 1 we have many contrasting outcomes as a result of faithfulness over time to a way of living, to a way of answering these “simple” questions. One can become part of the righteous or the wicked. He can become like a tree or like chaff. He can find himself associated with counsel of the wicked or the congregation of the righteous.
When is the last time you and I have asked ourselves some of the questions Psalm 1 poses? As we choose daily, are we aware of where our choices are leading? God’s inspired Word reminds us!
Psalm 62:12 says the Lord will “render to a man according to his work.” Are your “works” and my “works” leading you and I to a blessed life? This Psalm in six short verses tells us what it should look like and how we can get there. And yet, though the words are brief, the application of them can be daunting.
Jesus was and is the ultimate “blessed” God-man. King David will point us again and again throughout the Psalms to the One man who made all the right choices. Jesus, alone, made a way for those who believe in Him, through His sacrificial life leading to His sacrifical death, powerful resurrection, and gifting/empowering of the Holy Spirit.
Clinging to Christ, living life hand-in-hand with Him, the way that delights Him, will lead us to the blessed, fruit-yielding life. Who or what are you and I clinging to today?
- Kim Williams
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Rephrase Verse 1 thinking about where the “blessed man” would (instead of would not) walk or stand or sit?
+ What delights the blessed man according to verse 2? What does he meditate on? How often does he make this choice?
+ What is the blessed man “like” in verse 3? Think of this simile. What might this mean in one’s spiritual, emotional, and physical health?
+ What is the three-fold outcome of a blessed man’s life according to verse 3b?
+ Jesus walked out the life of the “blessed” man and “taught” His way in Matt 4:2-11. Take a minute and read this Scripture. How does this aid your understanding of the blessed man?
+ Verses 4 and 5 address the “wicked.” According to Psalm 1, how might you define “the wicked?” Who might be included in this definition?
+ How does Romans 4:3-8 give more insight about the wicked and the blessed?
[3] For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” [4] Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. [5] And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, [6] just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: [7] “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; [8] blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
+ “The Lord knows the way of the righteous” and offers it to you and I through His Son, Jesus, in meekness and humility and sacrifice. What would this “way” look like for you and I today?
+ Rephrase Verse 1 thinking about where the “blessed man” would (instead of would not) walk or stand or sit?
+ What delights the blessed man according to verse 2? What does he meditate on? How often does he make this choice?
+ What is the blessed man “like” in verse 3? Think of this simile. What might this mean in one’s spiritual, emotional, and physical health?
+ What is the three-fold outcome of a blessed man’s life according to verse 3b?
+ Jesus walked out the life of the “blessed” man and “taught” His way in Matt 4:2-11. Take a minute and read this Scripture. How does this aid your understanding of the blessed man?
+ Verses 4 and 5 address the “wicked.” According to Psalm 1, how might you define “the wicked?” Who might be included in this definition?
+ How does Romans 4:3-8 give more insight about the wicked and the blessed?
[3] For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” [4] Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. [5] And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, [6] just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: [7] “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; [8] blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
+ “The Lord knows the way of the righteous” and offers it to you and I through His Son, Jesus, in meekness and humility and sacrifice. What would this “way” look like for you and I today?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Where are you and I choosing to walk, or sit, or stand? Who are we inviting into these “activities” with us? Would we delight to invite Jesus into our actions or thought life? Since He is already there, is there something we might need to say in response to Him?
+ Where does your way, your law, your form of love and truth and mercy speak louder than Jesus’s Way in your life?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Where are you and I choosing to walk, or sit, or stand? Who are we inviting into these “activities” with us? Would we delight to invite Jesus into our actions or thought life? Since He is already there, is there something we might need to say in response to Him?
+ Where does your way, your law, your form of love and truth and mercy speak louder than Jesus’s Way in your life?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Jesus, you know the “way of the righteous” because you lived it! You alone are the blessed man. You alone are worthy of my praise. Forgive me for thinking I can earn my own righteousness my own way. Forgive me for where I tend to spend my time, energy and resources apart from you. Lord, make me thirsty for the blessed life you freely offer. Help me delight in your law, your truth, your love, and your mercy. As I meditate on your law, your revealed way, give me eyes and ears to see how I can live it out in your power today.
+ Pray with me:
Jesus, you know the “way of the righteous” because you lived it! You alone are the blessed man. You alone are worthy of my praise. Forgive me for thinking I can earn my own righteousness my own way. Forgive me for where I tend to spend my time, energy and resources apart from you. Lord, make me thirsty for the blessed life you freely offer. Help me delight in your law, your truth, your love, and your mercy. As I meditate on your law, your revealed way, give me eyes and ears to see how I can live it out in your power today.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ What is one take-away you learned from your time with Jesus today? After you meditate on this truth, who will you organically share it with?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ What is one take-away you learned from your time with Jesus today? After you meditate on this truth, who will you organically share it with?
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