DELIGHT IN GOD’S WORD
Key verse: 2
NIV
BOOK IPsalms 1–41Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the one(A)
who does not walk(B) in step with the wicked(C)
or stand in the way(D) that sinners take(E)
or sit(F) in the company of mockers,(G)
2 but whose delight(H) is in the law of the Lord,(I)
and who meditates(J) on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree(K) planted by streams(L) of water,(M)
which yields its fruit(N) in season
and whose leaf(O) does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.(P)
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the one(A)
who does not walk(B) in step with the wicked(C)
or stand in the way(D) that sinners take(E)
or sit(F) in the company of mockers,(G)
2 but whose delight(H) is in the law of the Lord,(I)
and who meditates(J) on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree(K) planted by streams(L) of water,(M)
which yields its fruit(N) in season
and whose leaf(O) does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.(P)
Cross references
- Psalm 1:1 : S Dt 33:29; Ps 40:4; 128:4
- Psalm 1:1 : Ps 89:15
- Psalm 1:1 : S Job 21:16; Ps 10:2-11
- Psalm 1:1 : S Ge 49:6
- Psalm 1:1 : Ps 26:9; 37:38; 51:13; 104:35
- Psalm 1:1 : Ps 26:4
- Psalm 1:1 : S Job 11:3; Pr 1:22; Isa 28:14; Hos 7:5
- Psalm 1:2 : Ps 112:1; 119:16, 35; Ro 7:22
- Psalm 1:2 : Ps 19:7; 119:1; Eze 11:20; 18:17
- Psalm 1:2 : S Ge 24:63
- Psalm 1:3 : Ps 52:8; 92:12; 128:3; Jer 11:16; Zec 4:3
- Psalm 1:3 : Ps 46:4; 65:9; Isa 33:21; Jer 31:9
- Psalm 1:3 : S Nu 24:6; S Job 14:9; S Eze 17:5
- Psalm 1:3 : Ps 92:14; Eze 47:12
- Psalm 1:3 : Isa 1:30; 64:6
- Psalm 1:3 : S Ge 39:3
- Psalm 1:4 : S Job 13:25; Isa 40:24; Jer 13:24
- Psalm 1:5 : Ps 5:5
- Psalm 1:5 : S Job 19:29
- Psalm 1:5 : Ps 26:12; 35:18; 82:1; 89:5; 107:32; 111:1; 149:1
- Psalm 1:6 : Ps 37:18; 121:5; 145:20; Na 1:7
- Psalm 1:6 : S Lev 26:38; Ps 9:6
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Book OneThe Way of the Righteous and the Wicked
1 Blessed is the man[a]
who (A)walks not in (B)the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in (C)the way of sinners,
nor (D)sits in (E)the seat of (F)scoffers;
2 but his (G)delight is in the law[b] of the Lord,
and on his (H)law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like (I)a tree
planted by (J)streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its (K)leaf does not wither.
(L)In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like (M)chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked (N)will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in (O)the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord (P)knows (Q)the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Read full chapter
Footnotes
Cross references
- Psalm 1:1 : Prov. 4:14, 15
- Psalm 1:1 : Job 21:16
- Psalm 1:1 : Prov. 1:10
- Psalm 1:1 : Ps. 26:4; Jer. 15:17
- Psalm 1:1 : [Ps. 107:32]
- Psalm 1:1 : Prov. 1:22; 3:34; 19:29; 21:24; 29:8; [Isa. 28:14]
- Psalm 1:2 : Ps. 112:1; 119:35, 47, 92
- Psalm 1:2 : Ps. 119:1, 97; Josh. 1:8
- Psalm 1:3 : Jer. 17:8; Ezek. 19:10; [Num. 24:6; Job 29:19]
- Psalm 1:3 : Ps. 46:4
- Psalm 1:3 : Ezek. 47:12; [Isa. 34:4]
- Psalm 1:3 : Gen. 39:3, 23; [Ps. 128:2; Isa. 3:10]
- Psalm 1:4 : See Job 21:18
- Psalm 1:5 : Ps. 5:5; 76:7; Nah. 1:6; Luke 21:36; Eph. 6:13
- Psalm 1:5 : [Ezek. 13:9]
- Psalm 1:6 : Ps. 31:7; 37:18; 144:3; Nah. 1:7; [John 10:14; 2 Tim. 2:19]
- Psalm 1:6 : Ps. 37:5
1 Blessed is the man[a]
who (A)walks not in (B)the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in (C)the way of sinners,
nor (D)sits in (E)the seat of (F)scoffers;
2 but his (G)delight is in the law[b] of the Lord,
and on his (H)law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like (I)a tree
planted by (J)streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its (K)leaf does not wither.
(L)In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like (M)chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked (N)will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in (O)the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord (P)knows (Q)the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Footnotes
Cross references
- Psalm 1:1 : Prov. 4:14, 15
- Psalm 1:1 : Job 21:16
- Psalm 1:1 : Prov. 1:10
- Psalm 1:1 : Ps. 26:4; Jer. 15:17
- Psalm 1:1 : [Ps. 107:32]
- Psalm 1:1 : Prov. 1:22; 3:34; 19:29; 21:24; 29:8; [Isa. 28:14]
- Psalm 1:2 : Ps. 112:1; 119:35, 47, 92
- Psalm 1:2 : Ps. 119:1, 97; Josh. 1:8
- Psalm 1:3 : Jer. 17:8; Ezek. 19:10; [Num. 24:6; Job 29:19]
- Psalm 1:3 : Ps. 46:4
- Psalm 1:3 : Ezek. 47:12; [Isa. 34:4]
- Psalm 1:3 : Gen. 39:3, 23; [Ps. 128:2; Isa. 3:10]
- Psalm 1:4 : See Job 21:18
- Psalm 1:5 : Ps. 5:5; 76:7; Nah. 1:6; Luke 21:36; Eph. 6:13
- Psalm 1:5 : [Ezek. 13:9]
- Psalm 1:6 : Ps. 31:7; 37:18; 144:3; Nah. 1:7; [John 10:14; 2 Tim. 2:19]
- Psalm 1:6 : Ps. 37:5
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
The man in this psalm does not follow the way of the world (1) but delights in and obeys the law of the Lord (2). The law of Moses was given to Israel to separate God’s people from the pagans, to reflect his characteristics like holiness, mercy, and love. Jesus fulfilled the law by canceling our sins on the cross, allowing us to receive and practice God’s love (Mt 22:40). We are called to delight in and obey his words and walk in his ways.
However, love and obedience are not our natural propensities. Often, sight tells us to take an easier path and delight in something immediate that is not God. But God promises “fruit in season” and prosperity when we obey. God does provide tangible fruit as a result of our faith such as material prosperity or victories over practical hurdles in life. But ultimately, our faith will be credited as righteousness (v.6, Ro 4:3) while the wicked face judgment. Through faith, we will one day receive unfading rewards in heaven. This hope gives us lasting joy.
Prayer: Father, thank you for giving us your word of life. Help me to meditate on your words daily.
One Word: Delight in the word of God
