A Life beyond Compare

The central lesson in Psalm 1 is this: there is not the slightest similarity between the spiritually accelerating life of the righteous and the slowly eroding life of the wicked. Take time to ponder the bold contrasts: Godly: Happiness many times over Ungodly: Not so! Godly: Uncompromised purity Ungodly: Driven by the wind

The Ungodly Life

A key observation in Psalm1:4–6 is contrast. Don’t miss the many things that are quite the opposite from the preceding verses. “The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away.” “Not so!” That is exactly how verse 4 begins in the Hebrew Bible. It is an emphatic negative assertion. Literally, it says, “Not so, the wicked!”

An Uncompromising Walk

As I read Psalm 1, three illustrations from the Bible flash into my mind. Two men flirted with evil, then fell; but there was one other who refused to begin a “walk in the counsel of the wicked.” The first two illustrations involve Lot and Samson; the third is Joseph. People the world over are familiar with Samson, whose life is best described in Proverbs 5:20–23:

The Godly Life

In the first three verses of Psalm 1, the psalmist describes the one who chooses to live a righteous life, the one who consciously resists the subtle inroads of compromise. He envisions a person who remains wary of anything that might erode commitment to a godly life. His song begins with three negative analogies to illustrate the importance of resisting compromise with evil, lest the evil become a habit of life.

Compromise and Erosion

The Hebrews’ ancient hymnal begins with a song that addresses one of life’s most common grinds: compromise. Please understand, I’m not referring to those give-and-take times so necessary for living in harmony with one another. Without that healthy kind of compromise, nations could never find a meeting ground for peaceful coexistence and family members would forever be at each other’s throats.

For a Fresh Start

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalm 51:1–2) Our Father, in a dry and barren world, where sin is so rampant and society is so filthy, we need a fountain of fresh, clean water full of blessing, truth, and strength.

Gratitude for God’s Guidance

O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; make Your way straight before me. (Psalm 5:8) Our Father, for centuries, You have used Your Word in the hearts of men and women in cultures and countries around this world. You have sent to difficult and obscure places faith-filled missionaries with the Word of God tucked away in their hearts. They have declared it, and You have blessed it.

For Strong Families

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:4–5) Marriage. A husband and wife coming together as one. Family. Rearing children. These things are so much of what life is about, our Father.

Overcoming Fear

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4) Lord God, fear threatens to overtake us, to hinder us from trusting You. We often seek to rely on ourselves, trusting in our own strength to accomplish our own desires.

Anticipating His Joyful Return

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (Psalm 16:11) Father, we are delighted with the sure expectation of Your Son’s return. Thank You for telling us Your plan and not leaving us in a hopeless quandary. At the same time, thank You for not telling us everything.

Tag Archives: Psalms