The First Psalm

The First Psalm article by Lary R. Hale

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psm. 1:1-6). Here we have the entirety of the first Psalm, and it really tells the story of God’s people. In only six verses this powerful Psalm shows us that there are two kinds of people; those who are faithful to God in obedience, and those who are not. And before anybody gets puffed up withon religious pride, let it be understood that “the ungodly” that are repeatedly referenced in this passage of scripture, are the unfaithful among God’s own people. David was in Israel, and his observations of people were of Israelites, all of whom were in covenant with God and of the household of God. What I want to do here is to jot down six verses from the new testament writings that show us that nothing at all has changed from the time that this great Psalm was written. I will give it verse for verse, matching new testament quotes with each of the six verses of Psalm 1. “But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (I Cor. 5:13). “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Lk. 8:15).

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned" (Jn. 15:6). “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27). “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (I Pet. 3:12). So there you have a new testament equivalent of the first Psalm, and it could be done many times over with plenty of other scriptures, but the point is sufficiently made. That point is that there are those who truly do love God with all their heart, soul mind and strength; and who love their neighbor as themselves, which is the heavenly calling (Lk. 10:27). On the other hand there are those among God’s people who just don’t get it, and manage to squander the love and faith that they were called to fulfill, usually in favor of some religious format that doesn’t require true persecution for righteousness sake. The parable of the ‘ten virgins’ in Mat. 25 is a good example of these two types of ‘believers,’ and Jesus also alluded graphically to the two types in Mat. 24, saying that “the love of many will wax cold,” and also that “those who endure unto the end shall be saved” (Mat. 24:12,13). This is a serious calling my friend, and if we have been baptized by one Spirit into one body of Christ, we ARE going to be one of these two types of 'believers.’ (I Cor. 12:13; II Tim. 2:20). And that leaves us with these two final admonitions from the apostle Peter and the apostle Paul: “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure” (II Pet. 1:10). And, “ Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philip. 2:12). Amen.