The Way of the Righteous
Psalm 1
Pastor Ron Johnson
Psalm 1 is one of many passages in Scripture that seem to communicate rather clearly that God intends for the listener to not only ________ what He’s saying, but to ___________ and make a choice.
Another example is Matt 7:13-14 where Jesus declares “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
However, Psalm 1 both __________ and ____________ the way of the ___________ and the ___________ and prompts its readers (and that includes you wo are here this morning because I’m about to read it to you) to address this question… Which path am I on?
The question to ask yourself is NOT “Which path do I THINK I’m on? BUT… Which path does my life SHOW I’m on?
Psalm 1
The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Verses 1-2 help us see that the truly blessed man or woman ___________ to listen to God’s ____________, NOT the instruction of those who __________ or _________ what God has said.
He or she is one who does not ___________ the philosophies and values of the world or the godless, _________ in the activities of the world or the godless or ___________ with those who scoff at (despise or have no respect for) God.
Hear the words of Psalm 1 and avoid the downward spiral that often begins with embracing what our culture ________ which in turn may lead to engaging in what it ________ which often results in _________ _________ for and even ___________ God and what he has said.
According to v 2 the truly blessed individual is one who is constantly __________ _____ _________ on the truths of the Bible and _____________ God’s Word.
Consider Joshua’s words in Josh 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
According to v 3, the righteous person ________ ____ his or her roots to get away from those in v 1 and chooses to settle down in a _____ ___ ___________ __________ where he or she can drink richly from the abundant source of God’s Word
And what’s the result? _________ (the mark of a true believer). Notice it’s leaf doesn’t wither (actions yield lasting results), prosperity (fullness and blessing).
Sadly, the wicked are not so. According to v 4, they are like chaff that the wind drives away.
In other words, everything just said of the __________ man is not true of the _________ man (true happiness, true joy, true contentment, bearing fruit, engaged in actions that yield lasting results, prosperity).
Finally in vv 5-6, the psalmist contrasts the overall outcomes of their lives
v 5) Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6) For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
God KNOWS the way of the righteous.
In short, his approval and affection rests on it.
As opposed to the way of the wicked which will perish because his disapproval and judgment rests on it.
Don’t ask yourself which path you think you’re on, ask yourself which path your life shows you are on.
Have you decided to trust and follow Jesus?
Prompts for Personal Reflection / Application
Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
Praying Psalm 1
V 1) Lord, keep me in the path of the Godly and the righteous instead of the path of sinners
2) Father make Your Word my delight by day and night
3) Lord, establish me and ground me in You and Your Word
4-5) O God, bring the unrighteous to justice in Your time and Your way
6) Thank You, Lord, for knowing about me, understanding my life and caring for me
