GOD'S BLESSED MAN

PSALMS 1:1

a. "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 THE LAW DOTH HE MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT"
  • The first Psalms is a fitting introduction to the sacred Psalter:
    1. It constitutes almost a perfect example of the whole book
    2. Like the sermon on the Mount, it begins with the word "Blessed"
    3. The word is in the plural and some translate it, "O the happiness of the man"
  • Such a blessedness is worth:
    1. Prayerful meditation by us
    2. And our humble imitation to seek the blessedness so beautifully stated in the first Psalm B. LET US NOTE THREE LEADING THOUGHTS IN OUR OPENING TEXT
  • The blessed man's negative character:
    1. He does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly - "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries; wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you" I Pet. 4:3-4
    2. The ungodly - the ungodly are people in whose thoughts are not God - they live a godless life - Examples: Esau was a profane person, an infidel at heart - Heb. 12:16; Pharaoh is another challenger to the living god - Ex. 5:2
    3. He does not stand in the way of sinners; "The transgression of the wicked saith within his heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquities befound to be hateful...He devisest mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhoreth not evil" - Ps. 36:1-4
    4. He does not sit in the seat of the scornful - "Depart from ye evil doers; for I will keep the commandments of my God" - Ps. 119:115; "Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem" - Is. 28:14-16; "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation" - 2 Pet. 3:3-4 C. THE CENTER OF THE BLESSEDNESS OF GOD'S MAN
  • His delight is in the law of the Lord:
    1. That is the attitude of Jesus Christ "I delight to do Thy will O my God, yea Thy law is within my heart" - Ps. 40:8
    2. Writes Paul, "I delight in the law of God after the inward man" - Rom. 7:22
    3. Testifies David, "I have longed for Thy salvation, O Lord; and Thy law is my delight" p Ps. 119:174
  • He meditates in the law of God day and night:
    1. Said the Lord to Joshua - "This book of the law shall not depart from thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then shalt thou make thy way prosper, and thou shalt have good success" - Josh. 1:8
  • He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaves also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper"
    1. Thus our text gives us the key to his blessedness and his continued success
    2. He keeps a way from the sinners and the seat of the scornful
    3. He meditates in the law of God day and night - he has no time for frivolities and sinful entertainments
    4. Such a person is blessed indeed, God is on his side - and when God is with us who can be against us


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