Psalm 1:1-3 Devotion and Bible Study
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
The word that is translated “blessed” here is the Hebrew equivalent of the word that Jesus uses to describe those who are “blessed” in Beatitudes of Matthew 5:3-11. It is the Hebrew word “Ashrei” and it should be read and interpreted as an emphatic “Wow! The blessedness of” or “Wow! The happiness of” the person who is being discussed.
The person who avoids living life like those who do not know God, avoids standing by and observing those who break His heart with their actions, and avoids sitting among those who are negative and hateful, truly is blessed!
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
The concept of having God’s Law as one’s delight and joy is something that sounds foreign to many modern believers. However, when we realize that the word for “law” here, “Torah”, really means God’s “Instructions” then we may have a deeper grasp on what was meant by the Psalmist. The words that instruct us on how to live the blessed life in accordance with the principles of our Father and Creator should bring us joy.
Additionally, according to 1 John 3:4, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” We would do well to remember that, according to the Bible, the breaking of God’s instructions is the very definition of sin. Therefore, the one who desires to follow God’s will as revealed in His Word will “meditate” in it so as to know what God’s will is. The word for meditate here is “hagah” in Hebrew and it entails mindfully repeating or even singing the words in a meditative way to memorize and internalize them.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Human beings are compared to trees several times throughout the Bible (Deuteronomy 20:19; Mark 8:24). As such, it is a fitting visualization for us to picture the person who belongs to God as a mighty and fruitful tree that is planted by the waters of the River of Life.
That person is fruitful in good deeds that flow from the heart, and that is where the Waters of Life come from according to Jesus Himself: “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38 ASV). That person is also promised vitality, surely spiritual and perhaps also physical vitality, and the assurance that whatever they do will be successful and demonstrate prosperity.
We should also compare these verses with Revelation 22:1-2. It says, “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
Prayer:
Lord, help me remember that I fully experience a state of blessedness when I follow your design for my life and choose to not follow after the influences around me that may distract me from You. I desire to treat your Word as important and valid in my life. I ask you to plant me firmly by the Rivers of Life and use me as a source of blessing for others. Make me fruitful in all the things that make for a full and meaningful life, infuse me with vitality, and please prosper me in all the things that are right for me.
Amen
“For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” – Proverbs 8:11
All Bible Verses are from the KJV Unless Otherwise Noted.
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