Psalm 1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the wicked, or stand in the way of
sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. (1:1)
Much like the encouragement given by Jesus in the Beatitudes, the term blessed indicates
affirmation of Gods desired attitudes and actions (congratulations if you are on this path)
Rather than beginning with positive instruction of what should be done, this psalm begins
with instruction from the negative perspective of behavior that should be avoided
Just as it is helpful to tell others the correct action to take, it is equally valuable to tell them
what to evade; wise parents teach children not only what to do, but specifically what not to
do
In loving relationships, we soon learn what behavior to avoid as well as what actions to
display
Even in our relationship with God, the Bible tells us what He desires a broken and contrite
heart (Psalm 51:17 ), and what displeases Him a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent
blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness
who utters lies, and one who spreads disharmony among brothers (Proverbs 6:16-19)
Here the psalmist explains behavior that is to be avoided, and blessed is the man who
refuses three distinct paths that represent the stages of compromise and identification with the
world
First is the refusal to walk in the council of the wicked you are on the wrong path if you
give even casual consideration to the opinion of those not committed to God or to biblical
truth
Second is the refusal to stand in the way of sinners the difference is that you have moved
from the consideration of worldly wisdom to actual association with those uncommitted to
God
Third is the refusal to sit in the seat of mockers the stage that follows consideration of
worldly council and standing with them is now a full identification with those who mock God
The images of walk, stand, and sit provide a portrayal of progressive degeneration
These three stages can be experienced by individuals, by the church, and by a national culture
For example, in our lifetime we have witnessed a moral collapse in the entertainment
industry
Television and movies once provided both entertainment and moral instruction such as was
the case with Andy Griffith and The Ten Commandments there is no need to cite
examples of the moral deterioration of contemporary entertainment in television, music,
videos or movies
As Steve Farrar indelicately said of the constant messages of sexual sin in media: I dont
allow our kids to watch network television for the same reason I dont let them drink out of
the toilet
The Apostle Paul could have been writing about our culture just as he wrote of those who
were enemies of the cross of Christ their glory is in their shame (Philippians 3:18-19)
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like
a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not
wither.

 The psalmist not only provides a contrast to this progression of spiritual decline, but at the
same time gives the prevention for it delight in the law of the Lord
The one who delights in Gods word and meditates on Gods truth will not fall into the
temptation of consideration of worldly falsehood, association, and identification with the
world
Jesus told the disciples to abide in Me and let My words live in your heart (John 15:4-8)
He prayed not that they would be taken out of the world, but that they would not be of it
(17:15)
Therefore, by spending time with Christ daily in His word and in prayer, we are equipped to
stand firm against the gale forces of this world
The result? Spiritual strength comparable to the health of a tree planted by streams of water