Psalm 1

Book One (Psalms 1–41)

1Oh, the joys of those who do not

follow the advice of the wicked,

or stand around with sinners,

or join in with mockers.

2But they delight in the law of the Lord,

meditating on it day and night.

3They are like trees planted along the riverbank,

bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never wither,

and they prosper in all they do.

4But not the wicked!

They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

5They will be condemned at the time of judgment.

Sinners will have no place among the godly.

6For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,

but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Questions:

Verse 1 – what is my approach to experiencing joy? Is it an emotion I devote myself to experiencing? Is it a state of mind I cultivate? Is it a consequence of what I invest in? Does it come as a result of who I spend my time with? The Psalmist gives their answer in verse 1. Check out what Paul says in Philippians 4 v 4.
Verse 1 – are there people who are causing me to lose my joy? Whose guidance leads us to destructive places? Who do we trust only to be let down? Whose company shapes our character in the wrong direction? Whose influence should we reduce to make room for the Lord’s influence?
Verse 1 tells us where we should not sit, walk or stand. Where does Paul encourage us to sit (Ephesians 2 v 6 & 7); to walk (Galatians 5 v 16); and to stand (Ephesians 6 v 13 & 14)?
Verse 2 encourages the reader to meditate on the law of the Lord. The psalmist would probably have been thinking of the books of Genesis to Deuteronomy. Given that much of this writing is the story of God and his people, as well as God’s instructions to them, what does this tell us about the focus of our meditation?
Verse 2 encourages us to meditate on the law of the Lord. What difference does it make to our meditation if we see this as the law the Lord chooses to live by?
Verse 2 encourages us to meditate on the law of the Lord. What difference would it make for you to meditate on the law of the Lord day and night? How might you do this?
In verse 3, the writer likens those who meditate on the Lord’s law to trees planted along the riverbank. Why is flowing water a good image for what receive from the law of the Lord?
Verse 3 – what makes the tree a good simile for the person who meditates deeply on God’s word? What can I change to deepen my meditations?
Verse 3 – tells us that the tree is planted along the riverbank. By whom was it planted there and what does this mean for me?
Verse 3 says that the trees bear fruit each season. How do you take this? Should we expect times when we do not bear fruit and what does this mean?
Verse 3 tells us that the trees are evergreen (their leaves do not wither). What makes them this way? What does this say about how God sees us?
Verse 3 says that their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. How might you link the 2 phrases in this sentence?
Verse 4 says “but not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.” What does the writer conclude about the fate of those who choose not to follow the Lord?
Verse 4 – the contrast in the similes between verses 3 and 4 is clear. Those who delight in the Lord are like planted trees whilst the wicked are like chaff driven by the wind. What do you learn about your life from this?
Verse 5 says “They will be condemned at the time of judgement. Sinners will have no place along the godly.” Based on verses 2 and 3, what will the judgement of the wicked be based on?
Verse 6 says “For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.” In what ways do you experience the Lord watching over your path?
Verse 6 – what is destroyed as a result of the path taken but the wicked?

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