Wisdom PsalmsSample

We begin this week by looking at Psalm 1, a familiar psalm among the Psalms of Wisdom. This psalm discusses the difference between how the righteous live and how the wicked live.

The psalmist begins the psalm by sharing how one who is blessed will not walk in the ways of the wicked but instead delight in the Lord and meditate on His Word. As the psalm progresses, we find imagery as how the blessed one will be “like a tree planted by streams of water that yield fruit in its season,” which shows longevity in the life of the righteous because they are connected to a life source (Psalm 1:3). God is the source of life that we can cling to all our days. Jesus says in John 4:14 that those who come to Him will never be thirsty again, therefore like the tree, we can depend on Jesus to give us life.

The flourishing of the tree, in Psalm 1 results in its ability to bear fruit and not wither, because it was planted near streams of water. The Apostle Paul echoes this truth in Galatians 5:22-23, when he identifies the fruit found in the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

By contrast, Psalm 1 goes on to describe the fruit of the wicked. They will not prosper and they will perish. The wicked aren’t focused on the Lord, meditating on His Word, or abiding in Him for life. Therefore, no life is found in them.

In every moment of every day, we can draw near to our source of life, God. Each morning, we can meditate on His Word. May we be abide in Christ and bear fruit in keeping with the righteous. Without Him, we perish.

1. How do you delight in the Lord? What does your personal time with God look like?

Prayer: Thank you, God, for being the source of life I can depend on in all seasons. You are such a good Father, and I love delighting in you.