Read Psalms 1
Highlights:
A songbook of praise to God. Hearts soar, voices lift in prayer; the anguish of sin, the joy of salvation! Two ways to live: righteously or ungodly (Ps. chap. 1). Whose Son is King (chap. 2)? The Lord is our shield (3:3); our peace (4:8); our defender (5:11). The Lord hears and answers our prayers (6:8-10). The Lord is our victory (chap. 9).
What a direct contradiction this Psalm is to the world's philosophy! Blessed is the man. . . . (whose) delight is in the Law of the Lord; and in His Law doth he meditate day and night (Ps. 1:1-2). A secret of the blessed life is to refuse the counsel of the ungodly (1:1). But a goodness based only on refraining from evil will not ensure true blessedness; therefore, the psalmist proceeded to establish the all-inclusive secret of blessedness: His delight is in the Law of the Lord.
The blessed person has an attitude of delight . . . in the Law of the Lord; and in His Law doth he meditate day and night (1:2). The Law was our Schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ (Gal. 3:24). Once we experience the love of Christ and long to please Him, we will be eager to learn how by meditating upon His Word and being led by the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). As we meditate prayerfully in His Law, the holy Spirit speaks to our hearts, revealing the meaning of His Word for our lives.
What a contrast to the superficial theories of happiness which human philosophy and psychology advocate! The secret of true and lasting peace is a right relationship with God.
The ungodly are self-willed and walk after their own counsel, while the blessed man depends upon direction from God through His Word. Heartfelt delight . . . in the Law acknowledges the fact that the Law is holy, and just, and good!
This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success (Josh. 1:8).
Heartfelt delight . . . in the Law means more than sincerity based upon the Truth of the Word of God. It means a delight in Jesus who is The Truth and The Life (John 14:6). It is in Him that we actually possess and experience the blessings and powers of that eternal Life.
Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (I John 5:4).
Thought for Today:
The extent to which we enjoy obeying the Word of God is the extent to which we love Him.
Christ Revealed:
As the Son of God (Ps. 2:7). God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16; Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5).
Word Studies:
2:2 Anointed (One) messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek); 5:6 leasing ties.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Audrey Hash • Staff: Bill Beach • Country: Mali (10 million) in West Africa • Major languages: French and Bambara • Religious freedom despite Muslim majority • 81% Muslim; 17% animism and spirit worship; 2% Christian • Prayer Suggestion: Pray and then obediently do what God says (I Chron. 14:14-16).
Optional Reading:
Memory Verse for the Week:
Acts 4:12