Psalm 1

Jesus’ prayer life was grounded in scripture, especially the Book of Psalms. In His teaching, Jesus quotes from the Psalms more than twenty times.  If we want to go deeper into the heart of Christ and the mind of Christ, the Psalms will teach us much. As we begin our devotional reading of the Book of Psalms, we find Jesus described in the very first psalm.

While some new translations translate verse one gender neutral as “happy are those” or “blessed are those”, the original text uses a word that is very gender specific and should be translated, “Blessed is the man.” Jesus is this perfect man who delights “in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” As followers of Jesus, yielding ourselves to be transformed to become like Him, Psalm 1 gives us a clear example of how to order our lives. Seriously? Is it really possible for a mortal human being to get excited about meditating on God’s law day and night?

When the Psalmist refers to ‘the law’ they do not mean just the Ten Commandments or other rules and regulations aimed at restricting certain behaviors. They mean law, as in God’s nature. God is love. God’s nature is to forgive. God’s law includes His love that cannot fail; His Word that does not return to Him void; and His mercies that never come to an end. The Psalmist has in mind the law of God that looked at a world that did not exist and spoke it into being by the power of His Word. The law of God is summed up in one verse: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

The Psalmist pronounces God’s blessing on those who take time to reflect on all the ways you have experienced God’s law, His nature in your life. Mediate on how you have experienced his mercies and forgiveness, His favor and how you know God to be your Shepherd. Take time to remember that the Lord watches over your path and then you will agree with the Psalmist in saying “Oh, the joys of those who delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.”

What word or phrase in these verses

Attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

May 2, 2012 - Psalm 2