“The Blessed Man”

“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; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1,2). 

This first Psalm brings before us two directions in life. One is the right way, and the other is the wrong way. Choosing the right way will lead to contentment and satisfaction. Choosing the wrong way leads to despair, hopelessness and unhappiness.

These directions in life are squarely based on the choices people are free to make. Note well; the Blessed man is the man who obviously loves God, and his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. By reading and meditating on God’s holy Word will keep us from sin or sin will keep us from doing so. 

God told Joshua “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8).

No true Christian can ever hope to be spiritually successful and prosperous without being committed to reading, studying, and applying the Scriptures. The psalmist said, “I find my delight in your commandments, which I love” (Psalm 119:47).

God’s Word is absolutely essential to Christian living, because it is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

The blessed man is also “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” (verse 3).

Like plants that need nourishment and refreshment for growth and strength, so also does the child of God. This helps us to avoid worldly influences, distractions, and temptations.

“The man who is separated from sin and separated to the Scriptures” writes William MacDonald, “has all the qualities of a strong, healthy, fruitful tree: 

Planted by the rivers of water—he has a never-ending supply of nourishment and refreshment.”

“It brings forth its fruit in its season—he displays the graces of the Spirit, and his words and actions are always timely and appropriate. Its leaf also shall not wither—his spiritual life is not subject to cyclical changes but is characterized by continuous inner renewal” (Believer’s Bible Commentary p. 549 Thomas Nelson Publishers). 

To maintain true spiritual qualities in a sin-defiled world requires total commitment to God and His Word. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). The lamp reveals the principles of Scripture I need to apply in my life. And the light shows the pathway of righteousness for me to walk in fellowship with the Lord.

The psalmist said: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). This indeed is most worthy of practice.

The blessed man is also a “sanctified” man. The word sanctify means “to set apart.” And it is applicable to all truly born-again believers in Christ. Here’s what the Lord mentioned in His prayer to God about Christians. “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:16,17). Note: “not of the world,” even though living in the world. The blessed man does not allow the world’s system of ungodly practices to pollute or dictate his lifestyle in any way. 

“The Word of God has a sanctifying effect on believers.” Writes William MacDonald. “As they read it and obey it, they are set apart as vessels suitable for the Master’s use. That is exactly what the Lord Jesus was praying for here. He wanted a people who were set apart to God from the world, and usable by God” (Believer’s Bible Commentary p. 1558 Thomas Nelson Publishers).

Another important aspect of Christin living is memorizing Scripture as much as possible because it may not be always possible or convenient to have a Bible on hand when a specific portion of Scripture is required at a moment’s notice. However, the Holy Spirit is able to refresh our thoughts.