Psalm 1

The first Psalm, like the 119th, begins with “blessing”.  A person is blessed because he fills his mind with the truth of God (v2).  He is blessed because the Lord knows his way (v6).  God’s knowledge of the godly is a positive thing, as is evident in Psalm 37:18-24.

Psalm 1 is also a Psalm of contrasts.  It is not enough to describe the blessedness of the godly (v3); it is contrasted with the cursedness of the ungodly (v4-5).  The classic joke begins, There are two kinds of people in the world …  But this is no joke: there are, in fact, two kinds of people in the world.

The first Psalm is also a “Psalm of the Word”.  It is the abridged version of Psalm 119.  The difference between the godly and ungodly is the shape of their minds and hearts.  The ungodly, step by step, grows deeper in the counsel of the ungodly, stopping to dwell in the path of sinners, and eventually taking his seat with the scornful.  The godly immerses himself in the law of the Lord, making it the substance of his thoughts day and night.  Notice that the end result is not that he seeks to be blessed but that blessing simply comes to him (v3).

Two things are true of the godly person and his relationship to Scripture.  First, he delights in it.  Scripture is enjoyable to him.  It is not a hard task for him to pick up his Bible to read and study.  Do you find this true in your life?  Ask the Lord to make it so.  The experience of many has been that the more time and effort they put into Scripture the more it becomes delightful.

Second, the godly meditates early and often on Scripture.  The term for “meditates” (v3) means to moan, growl, utter, muse, or mutter.  It envisions the person quietly but perhaps out loud repeating the words of Scripture.  Having hidden God’s word in his heart (Ps. 119:11) he now brings it back to slowly mull it over.  He considers it’s meaning, it’s application, and it’s relationship to the very issues of his life. 

It is important to recognize that Biblical meditation is not the emptying of the mind that some may practice.  Meditation is always focused on the things of God (His word and His works, Ps. 143:5).  We are, in fact, contemplating God’s word to us.  We are enjoying conversation with the Creator.  Hearing His counsel, we walk in the path of righteousness, and delight in sitting at His feet.

There are two kinds of people in the world …