Psalm 1
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Mcgurgle's Comments:
Verse 2
The person who will be blessed delights in “the law of the Lord.” In the Old Testament, the word “law” is used in a variety of ways. Sometimes it is used in a more narrow sense to describe the laws for human conduct given in the first five books of the Bible, which are also called “the Law.” But at other times the word “law” is used more generally for God’s word. God’s word is a “law” because it provides the standards for our conduct and the guide for our lives. Calling God’s word “law” gives recognition to its authority in our lives and affirms our obligation to submit ourselves to God. The blessed person does not need to force themselves to read the Bible, because they delight in it. It is a joy for them to read it and they naturally find themselves thinking about it often. The second part of verse 2 is almost a result of the first half of the verse. They meditate on it day and night because they delight in God’s law. Of course there is a need for a certain amount of discipline in the Christian life, but discipline alone is not enough. Our attitude toward God’s word is crucial.
