December 10
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper,” Psalm 1:1-3.
In Psalm 1, the psalmist portrays the difference between the godly and the ungodly person. He does not address in what way both are the same. In his Epistle to the Romans, Paul wrote, “There is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:22-23. Both the godly and the ungodly person were conceived and born in sin, as the psalmist states elsewhere: “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me,” Psalm 51:5.
While the godly and the ungodly person are both sinners, there is a great difference between the godly and the ungodly person, between the believer in Jesus as Savior and the unbeliever. The believer stands before God clothed in Jesus’ blood and righteousness and forgiveness. The unbeliever cannot stand before God, but he must flee before God’s holiness and righteousness.
The godly person is truly blessed. He is the person, “Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” Note how these words of the psalmist portray the progression of falling into sin deeper and deeper. The godly person does not tag along with the ungodly. He does not lend his ear to what the ungodly people say, and he does not approve of their evil plans. The godly person does not pause to give further attention to what the ungodly want to do. He does not become so engrossed with the ideas of the ungodly that he is moved to sit down and discuss in detail their ungodly ways.
The godly person gives his attention to what is written in God’s Word: “His delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law he meditates day and night.” He regularly and faithfully takes every opportunity to grow spiritually and to be strengthened in his faith in the one true God and in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior from sin, death, and the devil.
The psalmist uses beautiful picture language: “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither.” The godly person is like a flourishing tree. Its roots reach deeply into the soil for needed moisture and nourishment, which causes the tree to bear fruit abundantly at the right time. The leaves of the tree do not wither, which would indicate that the tree is dying.
When one feeds upon the Word of God, one’s faith is strengthened, and the promise of God’s blessing is assured. Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it,” Luke 11:28. The godly person keeps the Word of God – that is, he reads, studies, meditates upon, believes, and lives according to God’s Word.
“Speak, O Lord, Thy servant heareth;
To Thy Word I now give heed.
Life and spirit Thy Word beareth,
All Thy Word is true indeed.
Death’s dread pow’r in me is rife;
Jesus, may Thy Word of life
Fill my soul with love’s strong fervor,
That I cling to Thee forever.” Amen.