God's Word

Psalm 1
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.

This Psalm details two ways to live: The way of the wicked and the way of the righteous. The way of the righteous leads to life and flourishing—like a tree planted near streams of water. The way of the wicked leads to perishing. It is a sinful and fleeting existence—like chaff that is blown away by the wind.

The key to each way of living is how one regards the Word of God.

This Psalm references God’s Word in a few different ways. The “law” in verse 2 is a reference to all Scripture. To “meditate” upon it is to consider Scripture’s implications for all of life. And to “delight” in it means not merely complying with it but loving what it commands.

The only way to have a life that flourishes like a lush tree is to defy the counsel of the wicked and delight in the Word of God. So, to know how to meditate on and delight in the Bible is the key to a relationship with God and to abundant life. Views contrary to God’s Word are no anchor in time of need. God’s Word gives us the reliance of a tree with a source of living water that will never go dry.

This has been true since the beginning. When God gave his commands to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, obedience was the path to life and joy with God. If his commands were disregarded, and the counsel of the wicked was listened to, the result would be perishing. As the end of Psalm 1 informs us, sinners cannot not stand in the presence of the righteous.

How do you find God’s Word a delight? And when was the last time you meditated upon it?

Would you describe this season of your life as abundant and flourishing and how has your obedience to God’s Word been a part of that?


Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful promises in Your Word. Help me always to make the right choices and walk in your ways so that my life may be fruitful and that I may know Your loving protection as you watch over me in Jesus’ name.