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1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers 2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. 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 watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1 NRSV Bible)
The first of 150 Psalms. I wondered if this was indeed the very first psalm written by David. So, I asked, and the response is that given that there is no superscription to it, suggests that there is no specific author for this psalm. Chief among the beliefs is that it may have been Solomon who wrote it as an introduction to the entire book. Being a relatively short psalm it is packed with major themes that one can apply to life and we will cover some of them in this devotional.
The writer demonstrates a clear contrast between the lives of the righteous and the wicked. The psalm opens with a beautiful promise: "Blessed is the one..." This blessing is not merely about material prosperity but about a deep-seated joy and fulfillment that comes from living according to God's ways. It is, after all, our choice each day, to choose how we will live.
The psalmist warns against walking in the counsel of the wicked, standing with sinners, or sitting with scoffers. Each of these actions represents a gradual descent into a lifestyle that distances us from God. The progression from walking to standing to sitting illustrates how easily we can become complacent in our choices. Yet, there is a better path—a path rooted in delighting in the law of the Lord.
Delighting in God’s law means more than just obeying rules; it is about finding joy in His teachings and allowing them to guide our lives. Meditation on God’s Word is vital—it transforms our hearts and minds, shaping us into individuals who bear good fruit.
The imagery of a tree planted by streams of water is particularly striking. Just as a tree needs water to thrive, we need God’s presence and Word to nourish our souls. When we are rooted in Him, we can withstand storms and produce fruit in our lives.
In contrast, the psalm reminds us that the wicked are like chaff, easily blown away. Their lives lack substance and direction. This serves as a sobering reminder that true stability and purpose come from a life aligned with God’s will.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the wisdom found in Your Word. Help us to recognize the choices we make each day and the influences we allow into our lives. May we find our delight in Your law, meditating on it day and night. Teach us to be like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season. Strengthen us to resist the counsel of the wicked and to embrace the path of righteousness. All this we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Why not take intentional steps to deepen your relationship with God through His Word. Set aside a specific time each day for reading and meditating on Scripture. Consider journaling your thoughts and reflections as you engage with the text. Identify one area in your life where you might be influenced by negative counsel and ask God for wisdom and strength to choose His path instead. Share your experience with a friend or family member, encouraging them to join you in pursuing a deeper understanding of God’s law. Guide us as we seek to live lives that reflect Your love and grace.
I love you and I thank God for you,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
