Words of Life

We continue our Lenten journey through the Psalms, that wonderful book of poetry and song, full of glorious praises and adorations, soul-wrenching laments, and heart-felt prayers.  Today, we look at Psalm 1, which introduces this great collection by speaking of the wisdom of following God’s Word.  These are Words of Life.

¹ Happy are those
    who do not follow the advice of the wicked,

or take the path that sinners tread,
    or sit in the seat of scoffers;

² but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law they meditate day and night.

³ They are like trees
    planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season,
    and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.

⁴ The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

⁶ for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.

                    -Psalm 1 (NRSV)

“Happy are those … whose delight is in the Word of the Lord, and on his Word they mediate day and night.”

This introductory Psalm outlines two ways to live: one that leads to life, and one that leads to death.

First off, Biblically speaking, being “happy” is closely associated with being “blessed.”  And where our happiness is tied to our present circumstances, being blessed is everlasting, rooted in the presence and promises of our Lord.  So what does it mean to be blessed?  Well, the psalmist begins by saying that you won’t be blessed if you follow the wrong path.  Sin is a path that leads to despair and destruction and death.

Rather, one is to find delight in God’s Law, the Torah, the instruction of God on how to live a life of faith, a life of righteousness.  God’s Word is the instruction for life, and it lets you stand with the righteous.  I love how Eugene Peterson puts it in The Message, “Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night.”

What does it mean to “chew on” Scripture?  To take it seriously, to have it as a companion on a journey, a guide book.  Are some passages sweet to the taste while others are sour?  Do some go down easily while others take time to gnaw on, like a tough piece of meat?

The Psalmist’s point is that we must have God’s Word as a constant companion, a friend, a confidant, a teacher, a mentor who challenges us to be more than we are.

There is Life for those who follow the Word.

And Death, for those who do not.

Which road will you take?

To further make his point, the psalmist talks about the benefits of following God’s commandments by using the metaphor of a tree, planted by a river.  What a beautiful illustration.  You see if you follow the Word, you are sustained and watered and fed.  In essence, you are nurtured and cared for; you have what you need, and do not lack anything.  But not only that, your life will prosper; you will bear fruit.  And finally, a tree has deep roots that anchor it into the ground.  Following the Bible, or Word of God, gives you a stable foundation, one you can depend on and will help you stand when the storms come into your life.

Contrast that with those who refuse to follow God’s commandments. They are like chaff in the wind. They have no roots, nothing to sustain them, no connection with the source of life. They wither and they die.

Not only can we trust in God’s Word, but this instruction—it restores, nurtures, and sustains life. They are Words for Life.

Ron Trimmer is pastor of Hope United, a new church in Georgetown, Texas. Click here to visit Hope United’s website.