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The Blessed
and the Perishing
Psalm
1:1–6
Introduction
Psalm 1:1–6 presents a vivid contrast between the life of the
righteous who walk with God and the destruction awaiting the
ungodly.
Author and
Date of the Psalm, To Whom It Was Written and Circumstances Under
Which It Was Written
The author of Psalm 1 is not directly named. Jewish tradition often
attributes it to David, and it was likely composed during the time
of Israel’s monarchy. Its placement at the beginning of the Psalter
is intentional, setting the tone for the entire book of Psalms. It
was written to Israel, a people surrounded by nations who mocked God
and practiced idolatry. The circumstances were such that the people
were constantly tempted to follow the counsel of the ungodly. Psalm
1 served as both encouragement and warning, directing God’s people
to root themselves in His word if they wished to be blessed, and
warning that the path of ungodliness ends in ruin.
Imagery in
the Psalm
The psalmist employs two powerful images to convey spiritual truths.
The righteous are compared to a tree planted by rivers of water.
This imagery communicates stability, constant nourishment, and
fruitfulness. A tree by a river is never lacking in supply, produces
fruit in its season, and its leaves remain green. It symbolizes the
flourishing life of one who delights in God’s law. The ungodly are
compared to chaff. Chaff is the dry, worthless husk that is
separated from the grain by winnowing. It is easily blown away by
the wind, with no stability, root, or value. This imagery portrays
the emptiness and instability of the ungodly life, which has no
future in the judgment.
Message to
the People It Was Written To
For Israel, this psalm clearly drew a line between two ways of
living. They were to avoid the counsel of the ungodly, not join
sinners, and not sit with those who scorn God. Instead, they were to
delight in the law of the Lord and meditate upon it day and night.
In doing so, they would be firmly rooted in God’s blessing and bear
fruit. The psalm reminded them that God watches over the righteous
but the ungodly would not endure. The message was a call to
faithfulness in a time of temptation and to stand firm against
surrounding nations that pursued evil.
Message
Application for Us Today
The same message speaks to us with urgency. Today, ungodly voices
are everywhere, tempting us to abandon God’s ways. Many stand with
sinners or join those who mock truth and righteousness. But the path
of blessing is found in God’s word. To meditate on His word daily is
to draw strength from living waters, producing fruit for His
kingdom. If we ignore God’s word, our lives become like chaff—empty,
unstable, and blown away in judgment. The choice is before us: walk
in the counsel of the ungodly, or delight in the law of the Lord.
The Lord knows the way of the righteous and will preserve them,
while the way of the ungodly will perish.
The Blessed
and the Perishing Sermon Outline:
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Introduction to the Psalm (Psalm 1:1–6)
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The
Blessed Life of the Righteous (Psalm 1:1–2)
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Avoiding
ungodly counsel, sinful ways, and scornful company.
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Delighting in the law of the Lord.
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Meditating day and night (Joshua 1:8).
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Imagery
of the Righteous (Psalm 1:3)
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A tree
planted by rivers of water.
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Rooted
and nourished (Jeremiah 17:7–8).
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Fruitful
in season.
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Leaves
do not wither.
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Prospers
under God’s care.
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Imagery
of the Ungodly (Psalm 1:4–5)
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Like
chaff scattered by the wind.
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No root
or permanence.
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Unable
to stand in the judgment.
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Separated from the congregation of the righteous.
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The
Final Contrast (Psalm 1:6)
Call to
Action
Psalm 1 leaves no middle ground. Two paths are before us: one
leading to life and blessing, the other to destruction. Which path
are you walking? Root yourself in God’s word. Delight in His law.
Refuse ungodly counsel. The Lord knows your way. Choose the way of
righteousness today and bear fruit for eternity.
Key
Takeaways
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The
righteous avoid ungodly influence and delight in God’s word
(Psalm 1:1–2).
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The
righteous are stable, fruitful, and enduring like a tree planted
by water (Psalm 1:3).
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The ungodly
are worthless and unstable like chaff (Psalm 1:4–5).
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God knows
the way of the righteous and preserves them, while the ungodly
perish (Psalm 1:6).
Scripture
Reference List
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Psalm 1:1–6
– The contrast of the righteous and the ungodly.
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Joshua 1:8 –
Meditating on God’s law brings success.
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Jeremiah
17:7–8 – Trust in God compared to a tree by water.
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Matthew
7:13–14 – Two ways: one leading to life, the other to
destruction.
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Galatians
6:7–8 – A man reaps what he sows, whether to flesh or Spirit.
Prepared by
David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
|
The
church of Christ
