Psalm 1 – By the Streams We are Strengthened
1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, _ and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, _ which yields its fruit in season _ and whose leaf does not wither. _ Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked! _ They are like chaff _ that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, _ nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, _ but the way of the wicked will perish.
The Psalmist, David elevates the virtue of right living by outlining the folly of moving in the direction of sin. Note the progression; “How blessed is he who does not walk, stand and sit” within evil’s grasp. If we walk by temptation, and think for one moment we are immune, then our natural defenses have been breeched. We way even say, “I could never do such a thing.” Our assertion is bold, but foolish. In time these thoughts, if gone unchecked will lead closer to the enticement, literally standing near. We linger for a while, smelling its fruit, and craving its juices. We rationalize that we feel most alive in these moments, and deep within a soul hunger is being nourished, and so we linger just a little while longer, until God’s grieving heart can be heard over the clamor of our stupidity. Finally, we decide in a moment’s time one day that we will fully entertain. We sit, and therefore buy the package evil has offered. You and I have found ourselves here, haven’t we? At first, the fruit is good to the taste, but soon leaves an aching burning and gnawing cancer in the belly. Like sweet wine, it’s drained easily, but bites hard in the aftermath.
The silver lining is this: God uses our decisions; even foolish ones to build wisdom, if we take heed and turn back to Him. When we do, our enemy is broadsided, and though he has won a victory, the Paraclete (Holy Spirit – John 16) whispers in our ear, we have not lost the war. Next time we walk by this evil, wisdom will shout in the streets and we will hear and heed its demand for a more perfect way.
Sin deadens us after it’s been tasted, but the Psalmist shows us that through our delight in the law of the Lord, and through meditation day and night we become strong like a tree planted by waters. The Word acts as the perfect food for reviving, restoring and rejuvenating a heart. We will always have soul hunger, but our futile attempts to curb the hunger pangs with evil will keep us unsatisfied. The promise is a future grace.... we will bear fruit “in it’s proper season.”
The wicked are unstable and vulnerable to any wind of adversity. They will be blown away by its first gust like chaff upon the open ground. Interesting point made in verse five that the wicked will not “STAND” in the assembly of the righteous. Does this have reference to the judgment? All will fall down and worship God at that moment, but the word used here to rise, or help up. God will not take the hand of the wicked like He will the righteous (those bought by the blood of the Lamb). God will rise up the righteous, but will leave the wicked groveling in their isolation and damnation.
