The Playlist of Faith - A Series on Psalms - Psalm 1

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Psalm 1

As you may know the book of Psalms is a collection of poems and songs used by the people of Israel in their daily and temple worship. For the last 2000 yeas it has also been called the prayer book of the church.

The format this series will be as laid out below, first a series of question for discussion. Then a section with more information and some questions to help us understand the chapter/s in more depth. Feel free to use any part or all the as you need.

Discussion Questions

1. Which of the following does the righteous person NOT do, according to the first verse of Psalm 1?

2. What is the primary action of the righteous person described in Psalm 1:2?

3. What does the metaphor of a 'tree planted by streams of water' represent for the righteous person?

4. The wicked are compared to what in Psalm 1:4?

5. What is the final outcome for the wicked, according to Psalm 1:6?

6. Which phrase in Psalm 1:1 describes the most committed or advanced stage of associating with the ungodly?

7. In Psalm 1:3, the fact that the tree's 'leaf does not wither' symbolizes what characteristic of the righteous person?

8. The word 'blessed' in Psalm 1:1 can also be translated as 'happy' or 'fortunate.' What does this suggest about the nature of the righteous life?

9. What does 'meditates on His law day and night' imply about the righteous person's relationship with God's word?

10. The entire message of Psalm 1 is a contrast between which two distinct paths of life.

The Passage

The Way of the Righteous (Verses 1-3)

The psalm begins by describing the blessed or happy person. This blessedness isn't a fleeting emotion but a deep, lasting state of well-being that comes from a specific lifestyle. It's defined by what one avoids and what one embraces.

• Avoidance of Sinful Influence (v. 1): The righteous person doesn't follow the advice, behavior, or attitudes of those who disregard God. There is a clear progression here:

  • Walks in the counsel of the wicked: This is the initial step of simply listening to and being influenced by ungodly advice.

  • Stands in the way of sinners: This is a step deeper, where one begins to adopt the sinful habits and lifestyle.

  • Sits in the seat of mockers: This is the final stage of full participation, where one is no longer just doing what is wrong but actively ridiculing and scoffing at what is right and godly.

    
    

• Embracing God's Word (v. 2): In contrast to what they avoid, the righteous person finds their greatest joy and purpose in God's instruction (the "law of the Lord"). The word "delight" suggests a deep, affectionate pleasure. This delight is expressed through a discipline of meditation on God's Word "day and night." Biblical meditation isn't about emptying the mind; it's about filling it with and dwelling on God's truth, like a cow chewing its cud to fully digest its food.

  
  

• The Outcome: A Flourishing Life (v. 3): The person who follows this path is likened to a tree planted by streams of water. This powerful metaphor illustrates several key ideas:

  • Stability: The tree is "planted," not drifting. Its roots are deep, providing stability and security.

  • Nourishment: It has a constant, reliable source of water, symbolizing the life-giving nature of God's Word.

  • Fruitfulness: The tree "yields its fruit in season," meaning its life produces a consistent and timely harvest.

  • Longevity: Its "leaf does not wither," signifying resilience and an enduring vitality regardless of the season.

  • Prosperity: The final phrase, "whatever he does prospers," refers to a holistic success—not necessarily material wealth, but a life that is truly fruitful, effective, and blessed by God.

The Way of the Wicked (Verses 4-5)

The psalm then pivots to describe the way of the wicked, offering a sharp and simple contrast.

• The Imagery of Chaff (v. 4): The wicked are "not so." They are not like the stable, fruitful tree. Instead, they are like chaff. Chaff is the light, worthless husk that is separated from the valuable grain during winnowing. This image conveys the following:

  • Instability: Unlike the rooted tree, chaff has no weight or substance. It's easily blown away by the wind, symbolizing a life without a firm foundation or a stable purpose.

  • Worthlessness: The wicked are ultimately useless and without value in God's eyes, destined to be discarded.

    
    

• The Inevitable Judgment (v. 5): Because of their instability and lack of substance, the wicked "will not stand in the judgment." This refers to both an earthly outcome (they won't last) and a final, divine reckoning. Similarly, they will not be a part of the "assembly of the righteous," as they have chosen a path that leads away from God and his people.

  
  

The Final Contrast (Verse 6)

The psalm concludes with a summary statement that encapsulates the entire message: "For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."

• God's Personal Care: The word "watches over" (or "knows" in some translations) implies a close, intimate, and protective relationship. God is personally attentive to the path of the righteous.

• A Natural Consequence: The destruction of the wicked is not just a punishment but the natural outcome of a life lived apart from the source of life. The path they have chosen leads to ruin and ultimate separation from God.