Two Men, One Psalm, Lots of Lessons

The first Psalm describes two types of men. The first is godly and the second is not. The words used by the Psalmist vividly paint many lessons for us as we seek to be like the first man and leave the well-worn habits of the second behind.

The righteous man is one who chooses not to do three things. First, a righteous man will not walk "in the counsel of the ungodly." When seeking to do our own wills, it's quite easy to find comfort in the advice of those whose purposes are not to encourage in serving God. Second, we are not to stand in the "path of sinners" wherein we can be easily swept into their pattern of unrighteous behavior. Third, we are not to sit in the seat of the scornful. Associating with negative and unrighteous people who have no desire to do God's bidding will do nothing to bring us closer to God (Psalm 1:1)

This same righteous man is one who, "delight[s] ... in the law of the Lord" and he "meditates" in it consistently (Psalm 1:2). As children of God, we too must appreciate the value of God's law and His word, giving it the attention it deserves. Finally, the Psalmist says this exemplary man is one who is strong and sure, like a tree near life-giving waters (Psalm 1:3). Indeed, when we allow God to provide us with His care and we readily accept His will for our lives, we are better, stronger, more confident, and more able to withstand the difficulties of this life.

In Psalm 1:4, the author turns his attention to the "ungodly" and says that someone who has no respect for God and His plan is the polar opposite of the righteous man of strength he had just finished describing. Instead of grounded and sure, the unrighteous is movable and filled with doubt. He likens the ungodly man to the "chaff which the wind drives away" (Psalm 1:4). It's likely that each of us can reflect on our own lives and remember times when we failed to prioritize God and consequently, found ourselves at the complete mercy of the forces surrounding us. When we maintain no standard of right, doing wrong will be our mode of operation.

The Psalmist continues by saying that the ungodly have no part in the welfare of those who seek God and desire to follow Him daily. "Sinners," he writes, "shall not stand in the judgment" or "in the congregation of the righteous" (Psalm 1:5). In His concluding statement, the author reminds us that God, who is always in control, "knows the way of the righteous" and will allow the ungodly to perish (Psalm 1:6).

Each day, we get to make the choice as to what kind of persons we will be. If we choose to serve God, He protects us and provides for us, making us strong and sure. If we choose to abandon Him and the principles of His word, we lose all of our abilities to stand and the we grow weak. The choice to serve or to forsake our Lord is the most important decision each of us will ever make. And, choosing to align ourselves with Him will most certainly be the best choice we can ever make, both today and always.