The book of Psalms, in its first chapter opens, with a “wisdom” Psalm because the intent is to teach and instruct Christians how to maintain a Godly lifestyle in a world of evil, wickedness, corruption, and lust. Psalm 1 portrays the righteousness and fulfillment of the Christian life and the uncertainty, ruin, despair, and misery of the ungodly. The Psalm also contrasts two men, two ways, and two destinies. It cannot be over emphasized that the world is spiritually bankrupt, immoral, evil, and wicked. There is definitely no true peace, lasting joy, and satisfaction for Christians. Thats why we are in the world not not ”of the world,” meaning the world system and philosophy which is headed by Satan, which Christians must shun.
The Psalm begins by describing the conduct and spirituality of the “Blessed” or Godly man, which is quite the opposite of the ungodly man who makes successive steps to walk, sit, and finally stand in the lust and pleasures of this world. These steps involved each and everything that is opposed to God, and are really progressive steps that lead to evil and wickedness which are the products of sin and the sin nature.
Firstly, the ungodly man walks alongside evil and embraces it. To walk means he is transitioning himself for fulfillment in an ungodly lifestyle where there is no lasting satisfaction or fulfillment in the deeds, and lust of the world, the flesh, and the devil. To “walk in the counsel of the ungodly” (Psalm 1:1), means exactly what it says—the counsel of the ungodly is indeed ungodly. This is exactly why the blessed man must avoid it by all means. The Holy Spirit gives him the wisdom to discern the danger of this type of counsel.
Secondly, the ungodly man then takes up a position to “stand in the way of sinners” (Psalm 1:1) with a receptive mindset to establish himself in the conduct, practices, and customs of this sinful world around him. The “way” is a path or direction that sinners travel on, and which eventually leads to a “lost eternity” with the devil and his angels. In Matthew 7 the Lord Jesus taught about the “broad way” that leads to destruction and that many go in that way.
Thirdly, the ungodly man “sits in the seat of scoffers” (Psalm 1:1). He now takes a “seat.” He is at ease. He settles down in the “office” of the ungodly. To sit means his mind is fully made up to “join the group” of scoffers and sit in their seat. Scoffers find lasting sinful joy and pleasure to mock, ridicule, and criticize Christians. They are totally opposed to God, His law, His ways, and His principles.
It should be noted that the “progressive steps” of the ungodly man starts with temptation. He starts out walking alongside evil and then begins the downward spiral to his seat with the scoffers. The apostle James writes, “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James 1:13-15).There’s absolutely no doubt that the ungodly man was “lured and enticed by his own desire.” Also, James issues a “cautionary note” here for Christians in verse 16. “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.” Let us take heed!
Let us now consider the ways of the “blessed man.” The blessed man does not align himself with sinners, and lives with this objective in mind: “Man’s chief end is to glory God and to enjoy him forever” (Westminster Shorter Catechism). That is one of the reasons why the blessed man clearly avoids the ways of the ungodly and regard the Christian lifestyle as totally incompatible with the ungodly lifestyle.
For the blessed man, “His delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2). The word “delight” is a beautiful word that means great pleasure, happiness, and joy. No wonder that the blessed man finds delight in God’s Word and meditates on in day and night. It is a great source of inspiration and a steady companion to the Christian. Meditation will also keep our minds focused on God and His Word.
The psalmist says this about the blessed man. “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (Psalm 1:3). This a most interesting statement of the blessed man who is likened to a tree, but not just any tree. “A tree planted by the streams of water” This man is ‘firmly grounded’ in the principles of God’s word, and his fruit and leaf will testify to the nourishment and sustenance of God’s Word. “This kind of man shall prosper in everything he undertakes. The reason, of course, is that he is living in fellowship with the Lord, and all his service is therefore guided by the Holy Spirit. The only way to be efficient and successful in the Christian life is to be led by the Spirit of God” (William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 549).
The text also shows God’s care for the blessed man. He will be productive and he is guaranteed God’s security, care, provisions, and blessings. The tree speaks stability in faith and purpose.