Psalm 1 introduces the whole 150 chapters of the Book of Psalms and contrasts the journey of two people who live two different lives, go two different ways and end up with two different outcomes. One has a relationship with God and the other doesn’t.
In the end, the ungodly will receive their lot in life and have nothing to look forward to in the next because everything they have and all they have achieved, accumulated, and even their own lives will perish.
“But the godly will be blessed. ”
BLESSED (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.
But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity] (Psalm 1:1-3 AMPC).
Christians use this word, bless, blessing, blessed, all the time - “God bless you” when somebody sneezes, we sign our emails with “blessings,” and describe an experience or person as a blessing, but do we understand the significance and weight of the meaning of the word?
What does it mean to be blessed?
The word “blessed” is seen throughout the Old and New Testament. The OT word is: esher = fulfilled, having inner contentment, a deep sense of well-being and being supremely happy.
The word “blessed” in the NT, for example when Jesus was giving His Sermon on the Mount, is the word: makarios = a believer who has received God’s gracious benefits or provisions; to whom God has extended His favor and His grace.
Every Psalm is either a prayer, a poem or a song designed to direct people to God no matter what they are facing.
The Psalms were written by different writers, who from their outward circumstances you wouldn’t think would or should be happy but because they found their salvation, solutions and solace in God, they were truly blessed.
The very first words of Psalm 1, “Blessed, Blessed” pulls us in with the possibility that we could have this kind of life—a life that is genuinely blessed by God. A life where we can experience fulfillment, contentment, and a deep sense of well-being.
The Psalmist is not speaking about a superficial seasonal happiness that comes and goes but an abiding sense of well-being drawn from an endless reservoir of God’s grace no matter what the season.
Being blessed and attaining inner happiness can only come from a realm outside of us.
Who is the one that is blessed?
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night (NASB) (Psalm 1:1-2 ).
Psalm 1:1-2 literally means that the blessed, happy, enviable man or woman is never influenced by those who live as though God does not exist.
The blessed, happy person never stands in the path of sinners which means they never put themselves in a place of being tempted nor do they tempt others. He or she is not running in the same direction, not standing for the same things they do but is instead standing in truth and seeking to win these people to Christ.
The verbs in Psalm 1 are in the perfect tense which means that the godly person is never involved with anything tainted with evil but rather, such a person reflects on the Lord in his or her walking, standing, and sitting (Deuteronomy 6:7).
If you listen to people who are ungodly long enough, you will walk in their counsel, you will take your stand with them, and you will become like them.
There is no blessing for them, God said there is no peace for the wicked (Isaiah 48:22).
So we know that Psalm 1 points to Jesus, the only One who lived perfectly and was perfectly blessed. He is the only One who lived a sinless life and always delighted in God’s Word.
How do we attain that blessing?
In the OT people understood that being blessed by God meant having a lot of land, possessions, children, and health. Sadly, there are people who believe that health and wealth are a sign of God’s blessing on their lives and there are teachers who teach that if you are a genuine Christian and have enough faith, that this will manifest itself in material blessings in your life.
However, true spiritual blessings in Psalm 1, like those Jesus talked about in the Sermon on the Mount, were future blessings awaiting those who are spiritually and physically poor, for the pure in heart, the peace makers, for those who mourn, those who are gentle, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, those who are persecuted, insulted, and lied about for doing what’s right.
Psalm 1 is referring to the true blessings that are poured out on those who have placed their faith in the only one who is perfect that is Jesus, who took all of our sins and in exchange gave us His perfect righteousness.
Those in Christ are seen as perfect and righteous, without spot or wrinkle. In Christ we have all spiritual blessings! When we look at those in Christ we can say how blessed, blessed that person is.
The moment we believe in Christ, there is no more condemnation, we are accepted into His family with all the permanent rights, privileges and blessings that come with it. Now God’s Spirit is living in us, speaking to us, enabling us to turn away from sin and towards Him.
It is God's Spirit that works in us, giving us the desire to do His will, and to delight in Him and His ways. When Christ is our life we are blessed, and we have joy.
Those who want to be richly blessed must search the Scriptures like a person searches for hidden treasures.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night (Psalm 1:2).
When we take pleasure in God’s word, which is not just a "surface scanning" of the text but immersing ourselves in the Word, meditating on it, chewing on it, considering carefully what it saying, we are letting His words go deep into our hearts and minds, letting it cleanse, convict, and change us. And as we do, as our roots search for and draw from the water of God’s Word, it nourishes, refreshes, and rejuvenates us.
Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God (AMP) (Colossians 3:16).
What are the benefits of being blessed?
Psalm 1:3 tells us about the benefits:
And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity] (AMP).
Jeremiah says,
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, for he will be like a tree planted by streams of water (Jeremiah 17:7-8).
Jesus said,
blessed is the one who not only hears the Word but obeys it (Luke 11:28).
“Your fruit reveals your roots.”
But for the believer who enjoys and finds pleasure in the Lord, their leaves will stay green (satisfied) and they will prosper in everything they do.
Even during the driest, darkest, seasons of life their roots go after God, they have learned to draw their life from the Lord alone and they continue to be fruitful. The blessing that the psalmist is talking about is a blessing that comes from drawing from God’s endless reservoir of grace.
How will you make it through the never ending, unpredictable, stressful seasons you face in life and still be blessed? How will you attain and maintain happiness? Happiness depends on where your roots are planted.
“Only God’s endless reservoir of grace will satisfy your thirst.”
