Psalm 1: The Fruitful Tree - A Free Course

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Day 1 - Part 1

Psalm chapter 1 contains enriching instruction, sanctifying promises, and terrifying warnings. The instruction is deep and thorough; the promises are clear and compelling; the warnings are sharp and piercing. The whole Psalm, containing only six verses, is highly illustrative, providing two very clear word pictures of the contrast between the righteous and the wicked.

The purpose of our study is that the Word of God, which is sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), would penetrate deep into our hearts, affect our desires, and change our lives. May it be so, as God's Holy Spirit teaches us and leads us into all truth.

The first verse of Psalm 1 begins with the blessing of avoiding wickedness. While the thought of "blessing" certainly includes "happiness," it is also indicative of receiving something from the Lord. In other words, "The Lord blesses those who avoid wickedness." We know that those in bondage to sin can be happy, for a time, but no person who is enslaved to wickedness is blessed of the Lord. That blessing is reserved only for those who avoid wickedness.

The original word for "blessed" is a plural word, indicating the many blessings given to the one who avoids ungodly counsel and turns away from sin. While it is true that "many are the sorrows of the wicked" (Psalm 32:10), it is also true that there are many blessings given to the one who refuses wicked counsel, who does not yield to temptation, and does not give in to the cravings of his flesh.

Scripture is clear on the blessings of the righteous. Here are two such passages:

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