Psalm 1
There is no spiritual Switzerland; there is no place for neutrality. We see here two groups, and there is no third option. The person who would be blessed cannot keep company with the wicked. There’s a common recurring theme of “beware of who is influencing you” throughout scriptures. That theme is the point of this Psalm. But there is an additional warning here about the danger of progression. Notice the three stages of progression in this Psalm. The first warning is about walking in or taking the advice of the wicked. But then it moves to taking a stand with the wicked. The person has for so long taken their advice from the ungodly that he now takes his stand with them. This progression concludes with him sitting in their seat. He has become a member of the council of the wicked and is the one giving advice. The subtle progression begins with taking advice, moves to identifying with, and finally ends with giving advice. Darkness is always progressive.
The righteous man is different. He may grow slowly, but he is always steadfast and consistent like a tree. We find three descriptions of the tree: first, consistent or faithful; second, fruitful in season; and finally, leaves that show evidence of life within. Faithfully, fruitfully, and displaying the life of Christ results in all his ways; he prospers. This is because all he pursues is righteousness; should he pursue something other than what is righteous, he would fail to be among the righteous, and that endeavor would not prosper.
In contrast to the living tree, the wicked are described as chaff and are driven by the winds and are useless. They can’t stand in judgment, nor in the assembly of the righteous. Their opinion is not worth having or hearing; the wicked man is best never seen nor listened to. The final verse is a great contrast. God knows who is right and wrong. He is not going to be confused or deceived about the righteous and the wicked. He knows our way, so we are not alone.
"Lord, help me to choose those who will influence me toward a holy progression. AMEN."
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