Series: Renewal
Psalm 1:3 ESV
Psalm 1:1 ESV
Romans 3:10-12 ESV
Psalm 14:1-3 ESV
Romans 1:18 ESV
Psalm 16:11 ESV
Psalm 1:2b ESV
The focus of Psalm 1 is a righteous man.
Psalm 1:3 says, “He is like a tree planted by streams of waterthat yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.In all that he does, he prospers.”
When the Psalm opens a clear definition is given in verse one outlining what the righteous man does.
Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;”
The righteous man, would loosely be defined as the man who has every intention of doing the right thing.
We know from Romans 3:10-12,
“as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
No one understands; no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
How can that be? Scripture is right and true and does not contradict itself. So, how can Psalm 1 speak of the righteous man while Romans 3 says none is righteous?
We must look at the perspective of both. When doing that, we need to look at the text in layers. For example, in Psalm 1 the righteous man reminds us of Jesus.
Jesus is the example of a truly righteous man. Now let’s look at any other man.
A man can desire to be righteous.
A man can ask God for help, but only God is truly good.
Psalm 14:1-3 provides us with an example of an unrighteous man who does not seek after God. “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.”
The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.”
In Romans 1:18, the Apostle Paul speaks of the unrighteousness. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”
By their choice, the unrighteous “suppress the truth” of God thru Christ.
On the flip side we know from Psalm 16:11,
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
In other words, it’s in God’s hands. The righteous man is not perfect and is flawless, but he does know that and he turns to God. None of us can do it perfectly right on our own without God, which is exactly what the writer in Psalm 1 is telling us.
In Psalm 1:2, the writer says the righteous man delights “in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
The righteous man turns to God and delights in God’s Word. Day and night, he meditates on the Word of God. So…as we ponder how to meditate on the Word of God, what does that really look like?
I’ve known people who seriously wanted to quit their job and build a following so they could do just that. In other words, others would provide for them so they could pray.
God led me down a different path. Instead of stepping away from life, God stepped into my life and guided me in His way. At one time I worked a full time job, I worked a part time job at church, and I was a full time student in Seminary. God taught me how to meditate on His word in the midst of my crazy life.
On the outside that looked impossible (and I told God it looked impossible) but that’s the direction God led me. Looking back, my time was like the loaves and fishes. God made it possible to work two jobs and go to school full time. I was in my fifties and I was single. My children were grown and I was seldom at home. But, God provided everything I needed.
The point is, whatever situation you find yourself in, when you turn to God, there is a way. We cannot do it on our own. We are not righteous. God can do the impossible for us.
Spiritual Practice: Turn to God
Give God the impossible. Ask God to make it possible.
In God, Deborah