Be a Tree

              While we all would agree that the entire Bible is God’s word, it’s all there for a reason, and we should be reading and studying all of it – each of us is different and have our preferences. I’ve always been more of a “Proverbs man” and less a “Psalm’s guy”. Probably because I prefer black/white, nitty gritty,….and less emotion or poetry. But I know people completely the opposite. Most will respond that Psalm 23^rd, 91^st, 139^th, 27^th, and 121^st are those that are most popular and come to mind (look them up, pretty good stuff). Last week I started at the beginning and just started reading. Not to my surprise, it’s all good. Some a little more straight forward and easier to understand than others, but all worth our time. But I kept going back to Psalm Chapter 1. Six short verses. So that is where we are this week – just some thoughts on Psalm Chapter 1.

(NASB) Psalm 1:1

        1How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
            Nor stand in the path of sinners,
            Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

      2But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
            And in His law he meditates day and night.

      3He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
            Which yields its fruit in its season
            And its leaf does not wither;
            And in whatever he does, he prospers.

      4The wicked are not so,
            But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.

      5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
            Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

      6For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
            But the way of the wicked will perish.

Here we have a contrast between the “blessed” (righteous) and the “wicked”. It begins with the term “How blessed” or “Blessed is”. This is an emphatic positive desirable condition, “Oh how happy”! We are familiar with the same wording in the beatitudes from Jesus in Matthew chapter 5. Here, verse 1 immediately focuses then on a person’s actions and attitudes. Personal responsibility. Do not walk, stand, or sit – interesting. This covers 3 states of motion in our lives which seems to indicate “in all parts”. In all parts of your life don’t adopt and follow the advice of the wicked, don’t participate in the practices and lifestyle of sinners, don’t deliberately associate with those that mock/scorn religion and what is holy and right. To not do all these things require purposeful effort on our part. This is not always easy. Some of the time there is good advice, acts of value, and valid questions mixed in with wickedness, sinfulness, and scornfulness. A lot of bad people are very charismatic, seem to appear knowledgeable and wise, or seem to have a great life (from a wordly perspective). Therefore, a blessed person needs to be able to see through this and recognize what is good counsel, a good lifestyle, and theologically sound. That leads then into verse 2, how to differentiate and know what’s right and what’s wrong.

 

To meditate – deep, serious, affectionate thoughtfulness – constantly on the law of Lord. For us today, the law of the Lord includes the entire Bible – and the leading of the Holy Spirit. But note again, it requires our purposeful action. To mediate, not to only focus 15 minutes a day on Tuesday and Thursday. Also to “delight” – this requires we recognize the value and want to focus on God. So it seems there is much responsibility on our part. To sit with eyes closed, arms crossed, in a quiet place and just “think” i.e. “meditate” isn’t something we can do 24x7 – or we would never brush our teeth, go to work, or eat. Perhaps, we are to consistently make some quiet times, but also purposefully consider God’s commands as part of how we make all decisions. Don’t purely go with our gut, or emotions, our desires. How to “meditate day and night” or “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17) – implies consistency, with perseverance, and applies to all areas of our lives.

Verse 3 seems to go deeper into “Blessed is” – its not just an emotional benefit. There is peace, consistency, certainty and guaranteed beneficial outcome. “In its season”  - at regular intervals, at the right time. We may have times of unfruitfulness, times of difficulty, - this should be expected. This is a bit counterintuitive to some worldly views. This also seems to indicate “patience is a virtue”. What about that last phrase, “And in whatever he does, he prospers”? We should carefully consider what is meant here. Many good Christians, much better than I, have had physically difficult lives and died poor. But many also have been comfortable and had things to pass along to their family. Perhaps “prosper” should be viewed through God’s lens of “what is good for us”. In all that we do, if we are focused on God and His ways – there will be something about the outcome that will be beneficial to us. Perhaps worldly gain or wisdom – perhaps even better spiritual gain. But we know prosperity of some type will be there.

In verse 4, the comparison of a firmly planted productive tree versus chaff (remnants of dead harvest) is a stark comparison. We know a lot of sinful and evil people do financially well, some live to a ripe old age. While we may desire those to a degree, those are not what’s most important. Steadfastness versus being blown around in life, peace and contentment versus chaos and unsatisfaction – how easy to identify what is better. This is what we internally really seek.

Verses 5 and 6 now go further to cover eternity. There will be judgement, and there will be a different outcome for the righteous and the wicked. Comparing the “assembly of the righteous” and “the wicked will perish” – what drastically different outcomes. We are all familiar with the concepts of heaven and hell. To live in God’s kingdom, versus the absence from it. To have the Lord wipe away every tear, versus existing in the constant gnashing of teeth. Maybe inferred is “Blessed is the righteous man that knows his eternity”.

I would have much enjoyed a live discussion with everyone on these verses. The above is just my initial thoughts on what we can pull away from it. There is much more meaning and value I’m sure that can be pulled from this passage. It is a great introduction defining “the righteous man who is blessed” – as many of the Psalms that follow are from King David. His delight in the Lord, prosperity that God gave him, the outcome when he walked in the path of sinners – it all seems to align.

Thoughts for application:

·       What might it mean for you to “meditate on the law of Lord” more?

·       How can you prevent being exposed to wicked council, being in the path of sinners, listening to scorners?

·       Do you recognize the effects in your life of being a “tree firmly planted”?

 

Feel free to post any thoughts and insight you have on these 6 verses. I’d love to hear it.

-Ben