---

The Verses

“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!
But his delight is in the Law of the Lord,
And on His Law he meditates day and night.

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.

The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.”

---

Context and Meaning

Psalm 1 serves as the gateway to the entire Book of Psalms, establishing the central theme of two contrasting paths:

• The Path of the Righteous: Those who delight in God’s Word and live according to His wisdom.
• The Path of the Wicked: Those who reject God’s ways and live in rebellion.

This Psalm emphasizes that true blessing comes from walking in righteousness, while those who reject God’s law will ultimately perish.

Key Themes:

1. The Progression of Sin: The Psalm warns against gradually slipping into wickedness—first walking, then standing, then sitting (v. 1).
2. The Righteous Delight in God’s Word: A person who meditates on Scripture daily is like a tree—rooted, fruitful, and thriving (v. 2-3).
3. The Wicked Are Rootless and Temporary: Unlike the deeply planted tree, the wicked are like chaff blown away, having no lasting foundation (v. 4-5).
4. God Watches Over the Righteous: The final verse assures us that God is involved in the lives of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction (v. 6).

This Psalm is a wisdom passage, much like Proverbs, presenting a clear choice: follow God’s way to life and stability, or reject Him and face ruin.

---

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 1 reminds us that the company we keep and the choices we make determine our spiritual direction:

• Avoid the Slow Drift into Sin: The downward spiral from walking → standing → sitting shows how sin gradually pulls people away from God (James 1:14-15).
• Find Joy in God’s Word: Meditating on Scripture daily keeps us spiritually rooted and strong, even in difficult seasons (Joshua 1:8).
• A Life Built on God’s Truth is Secure: Just as a tree flourishes by water, a life grounded in God’s wisdom will bear fruit and remain firm (Jeremiah 17:7-8).
• The Wicked Have No Lasting Security: The imagery of chaff blown away warns that those who ignore God will not stand in the end (Matthew 7:26-27).

Psalm 1 is an invitation to choose wisely—to walk in righteousness and remain firmly planted in God’s Word.

---

Application

• Examine Your Path: Are you walking with the wise or drifting toward sin? (Proverbs 13:20)
• Make Scripture Your Daily Delight: Reading and meditating on God’s Word daily brings lasting joy and stability (Psalm 119:105).
• Stay Rooted in Faith, Even in Difficult Seasons: Just like a tree near water, those who trust in God will endure (Colossians 2:6-7).
• Recognize That True Success is Found in God: Worldly success is temporary, but a life lived for God is eternally secure (Matthew 6:33).

---

Closing Thought

Psalm 1 presents a clear choice between two paths—one leads to lasting fruitfulness and joy in God, while the other ends in emptiness and destruction. The question is, which path are you on?