Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 0-029 (Bible Reading Notes)

PSALM 1 (From ‘Encounter with God’ – Sunday 20 Feb 2000)

TWO WAYS OF LIFE

Our happiness depends on walking with God in the light of his Word.

The opening psalm presents two ways to live. In many ways, Psalm 1 sets the tone for the rest of the Psalms. The writer vividly contrasts the wicked and the righteous. He uses striking metaphors – ‘like trees (v 3), like worthless chaff’ (v 4) to make his points completely clear. Simultaneously, he warns and encourages.

First, the godly, or the righteous, do not fool around with sin in any way. They do not look to sinners for their values. They do not enjoy their company. They do not laugh when they scoff at God and his ways. On the contrary, they love to obey the Lord above everything else. They are so in love with God that nothing suits them better than to read and meditate on his Word. God’s commands permeate their thoughts and activities. The godly are like mighty, deeply rooted, fruit-bearing trees (v 3). They portray total prosperity of heart and soul. They exude satisfaction and contentment in God and his ways.

The wicked, however, suffer a different fate, illustrated by a graphic picture of a farmer’s threshing floor where the wheat falls to the floor while the wind blows the chaff away. The wicked are blown into hopelessness. Their lives count for nothing. In the end, God will judge their wickedness.

We all like to sit on the fence, but ultimately we are required to choose between two dramatically different ways of life. Sinful, selfish people who despise and disdain God are destined for destruction. Godly, obedient people receive and enjoy God’s richest blessings. God is the sovereign, wise, loving guardian of the ways of the godly.(See Ps 32:8) Therefore, we praise and honour him for his goodness and mercy.

Think about the general direction of your life. In what ways might it need to change before someone could describe you as godly?

– James Reapsome

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