In The Word
Read: Psalms 1-2
The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.
1 Blessed is the person 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 on His Law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree 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 blows 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.
The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed.
2 Why are the nations restless
And the peoples plotting in vain?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers conspire together
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let’s tear their shackles apart
And throw their ropes away from us!”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
7 “I will announce the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have fathered You.
8 Ask it of Me, and I will certainly give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”
10 Now then, you kings, use insight;
Let yourselves be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, that He not be angry and you perish on the way,
For His wrath may be kindled quickly.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
There is a word that begins Psalm 1 and ends Psalm 2: blessed. “How blessed is the one,” and, “How blessed are all,” are the opening and ending phrases. The word blessed means to have the joy and satisfaction that comes from knowing you are right with God. While our reading begins and ends with the declaration or promise that those who are right with God will be blessed, it is what is in between that reveals two ways that we achieve this blessedness. The one who is blessed lives a life in obedience to God. They abstain from corrupt relationships and follow the Lord’s instructions. In fact, the one who is right with God meditates on His instructions day and night. By doing so, we find our joy and satisfaction.
The one who is blessed also lives a life that is conforming to Jesus Christ (the Anointed One). We are to tear off our chains and free ourselves from the restraints of rebellion. It is when we submit to the authority of Jesus Christ that we find this blessedness and happiness. Those who are blessed are being changed in Him.
We are to stop our rebellion and let our delight be in the Ancient Paths of righteousness. We are to run to the safety of Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Then we will be like the tree that bears fruit and does not wither. Then, and only then, will we prosper in faith.