It is remarkable that David opens the Book of Psalms with a benediction, even as did our Lord Jesus Christ, when He preached the famous Sermon on the Mount. In the same way as Jesus Christ, David begins the first Psalm with a promise of divine blessing.
The Hebrew word translated “blessed” is a very expressive one. It means “happiness, bliss” and has plural construction as interjection. In Psalm 1 blessings are a result of right conduct, while in Psalm 32, for instance, the blessings come from God’s forgiveness: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered“. The grace and mercy of God – His forgiveness – makes it possible to accomplish the practical righteousness spoken of in Psalm 1. Thus we may enjoy plenty of blessings which shall come upon us whom God has justified and sanctified in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Scripture
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. — Psalm 1:1-2 KJV
Observation
“Blessed is the man“, David further describes a man defined by the two ways of life what he can live and the two destinies as a result of such a life (verse 6). He describes this man both negatively (verse 1) and positively (verse 2). In verse 1 he gives a gradation of the life of a sinful man, the life which a righteous man shall not have delight in. The sad progression of the ungodly and the unrighteous man from “walking” to “standing” to “sitting” steadily “increase unto more ungodliness” (2 Timothy 2:16).
The righteous man “walketh not on the counsel of ungodly“. He does not sin out of practicality, like ungodly man does when he justifies his behavior as a liar, or thief, or fornicator… Nor the righteous man “standeth in the way of sinners“. The righteous man prays fervently, so his practical sin will not become a habitual sin. A habitual sin makes him to sin openly and without any remorse. Nor the righteous man “sitteth in the seat of the scornful“. The righteous man, unlike unrighteous one, does not teach and does not tempt others to live a sinful life. The righteous man has no delight in worldly foolishness, nor he does mock sin or sinner. He does not mock the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ!
“For I delight in the law of God after the inward man” – Romans 7:22. Blessed is the man whose outward walk changed by inward grace. And “his delight is in the law of the Lord“. His devotion and obedience to the written Word of God upon which “he meditate day and night” is his true blessings!
Application
This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV
- What does the word BLESSED mean for you?
- Where is your delight in?
- Describe your walk with God.
- What has more influence in your life: the law of Lord or the law of men?
- How much time do you spend reading the Word of God?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You name above all other names. You are the Lord of lords and the King of kings. We thank You Lord God for many blessings what we have in our lives. We thank You for Your revelation in the Holy Word. We pray that the Spirit of the Lord Jesus will make our walk with You, Father, righteous and blessed. May we find delight in the law of the Lord through our devotion and obedience to the written Word of God.
We pray in Jesus name. Amen
