The Blessed Person

Sermon Introduction

The first psalm describes two types of lives. First type is the blessed person. It shows two main characteristics of the blessed person; and their positive outcome. How is the blessed person, blessed? The illustration is of a fruitful tree that is firmly planted by streams of water, whose leaf does not wither. And second, it shows how the opposite or negative outcome of the ungodly. How may we depict the ungodly based on the text? The ungodly or wicked person does not delight and meditate in the law of God, and those who walk, stand, and sit with the wicked.

Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

Psalm 1:1-6

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.

3 He 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.
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 knows the way of the righteous,
     but the way of the wicked will perish.

Notes

The first psalm describes two types of lives. First type is the blessed person. It shows two main characteristics of the blessed person; and their positive outcome. How is the blessed person, blessed? The illustration is of a fruitful tree that is firmly planted by streams of water, whose leaf does not wither. And second, it shows how the opposite or negative outcome of the ungodly. How may we depict the ungodly based on the text? The ungodly or wicked person does not delight and meditate in the law of God, and those who walk, stand, and sit with the wicked.

1. Blessed life

   The psalm considers a certain kind of man blessed; a man who does not walk, sit and stand with the wicked. Conversely, his delight is in God’s law. Moreover, he meditates on it day and night.
   
   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 (Psalm. 1:1-2).
   
   

2. Fruitful tree

   The psalm further describes the blessed person. The blessed person is like a fruitful tree near streams of water. The leaves do not wither and whatever he does prospers. “Prosper” means progress or advance. The wicked are not so.
   
   3 He 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 (Psalm 1:3).
   
   

3. Suffering and exclusion

   The ungodly shall receive just punishment; their arguments will not stand in the court of God. And the ungodly will not belong to God’s people. For the Lord is the one who will render justice; only He knows the hearts of men.
   
   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 knows the way of the righteous,
        but the way of the wicked will perish.
   
   

Application

1. Choose your companions

   The people we are most comfortable with reflect who we are or what we represent. Thus, we must carefully avoid ungodly influences. Instead, we must delight and meditate on God’s word day and night.
   
   

2. Delight and meditate

   We must delight in His word. To delight in His word is to value and take pleasure in it. We must meditate on His word. Meditating on His word is to think through, imagine, speak, and plan. The frequency is day and night.
   
   

3. Belong to the assembly

   One characteristic of the wicked is that they will receive the penalty and not belong to the assembly. But the Lord forgives those who repent and believe in the gospel. Let us do so and belong to a Christian church community.
   
   
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. Explain the characteristics of the blessed person.

2. What is the outcome or reward of the blessed person?

3. What will happen to the wicked, those who do not follow His word?