The Blessed Man

INTRODUCTION: The first psalm describes the blessed man and contrasts him with the ungodly man. Psalm 32:1-2 tells us that the basis of all blessing in the life of man is forgiveness of sin. The first psalm tells us about the life of this blessed man.

1. HIS REJECTION (Psalm 1:1)
1. The Wisdom of the World (Psalm 1:1)
1. No observation: he walks not (Amos 3:3).
2. Counsel: the recommendations of the world (Jeremiah 10:2)
3. Ungodly: those who leave God out of their lives (Psalm 10:4, 11)
2. The Way of the World (Psalm 1:1)
1. No association: he stands not (Proverbs 13:20).
2. Way: the path of their actions (Proverbs 4:19; Matthew 7:13-14)
3. Sinners: those who actively disobey Gods commandments (Genesis 13:13)
3. The Wickedness of the World (Psalm 1:1)
1. No participation: he sits not (Psalm 26:4-5).
2. Seat: seat indicates permanence and full identification (Jeremiah 15:17).
3. Scornful: those who make a mockery of the things of God (Proverbs 21:24; Jude 1:18)
4. Note: take note of the progression in this verse. It will help you to understand the way people turn from righteousness unto wickedness.
1. The progression of interest
1. Walking still easy to walk away
2. Standing can begin to walk at any time
3. Sitting full commitment
2. The progression of influence
1. Counsel listening to advice
2. Way trying the practices
3. Seat making the choice
3. The progression of identity
1. Ungodly just leaves God out of his life
2. Sinner practices sin
3. Scorner makes a mockery of God and holy things
2. HIS REJOICING (Psalm 1:2)
1. His Delight in Gods Word (Psalm 1:2; Job 23:12; Jeremiah 15:16)
2. His Devotion to Gods Word (Psalm 1:2); meditation (Joshua 1:8; 1 Timothy 4:15)
1. Definition: To meditate means to ponder; to reflect upon; to think deeply about. Some have used a cow chewing its cud as a picture of meditation. The cow is rechewing food that has already been eaten. When we meditate on scripture, we think deeply about something God has said in His word. We chew it over and over again in our mind until some new nourishment is found in it.
2. The benefits of scriptural meditation:
1. Perception of truth Through meditation we digest the truths of God. This increases our understanding of Gods way and leads us to the path of wisdom (Psalm 119:99).
2. Profit from scripture Through meditation we apply the teachings of scripture to our hearts and lives. We are changed to our profit (1 Timothy 4:15).
3. Purity of heart Through meditation we are kept from sin and are brought into a position of holiness with God (Psalm 19:13-14).
4. Prosperity in service Through meditation our work for the Lord will be prosperous; we will accomplish that which He pleases (Joshua 1:8).
5. Prayer effectiveness Meditation works as an aid to our prayer life (Psalm 5:1-2).
6. Patience in adversity Meditation on the things of God strengthens us when we are being attacked by the ungodly (Psalm 119:23, 78).
7. Peace and joy Through meditation God gives us peace and joy and conquers the melancholy spirit (Psalm 104:33-34).
3. His Discipline in Gods Word (Psalm 1:2); day and night (Psalm 119:97, 148)
3. HIS REWARD (Psalm 1:3)
1. Provision (Psalm 1:3); like a tree planted by the rivers of water
1. To grow like a tree
1. Trees never stop growing (Psalm 92:14).
2. Trees have good and bad years (2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 1:6-7).
3. Their roots reach for moisture (Hosea 14:5; Ephesians 5:26).
4. Their branches reach for sunlight (Hosea 14:6; Psalm 55:16-17; Philippians 3:14).
2. To bear fruit like a tree
1. Made to bear fruit (Genesis 1:11-12; John 15:16)
2. Enabled to bear fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)
3. The fruit has a purpose (Genesis 1:29; Romans 6:21-22).
3. To multiply like a tree
1. The seed of multiplication is in the fruit (Genesis 1:11; Proverbs 11:30).
2. The multiplication pattern is after his kind (Genesis 1:11; 1 John 3:1-3).
2. Productivity (Psalm 1:3)
1. Brings forth fruit (John 15:4-5)
2. In his season (Galatians 6:7)
3. Permanence (Psalm 1:3); shall not wither 1 Peter 1:3-5
4. Prosperity (Psalm 1:3); shall prosper Isaiah 55:11
4. HIS RESCUE (Psalm 1:4-6)
1. From the Death of the Ungodly (Psalm 1:4)
1. Not as the godly God makes a difference.
2. They are like the chaff.
1. Carried away by the wind (Job 21:18)
2. Burned by the fire (Matthew 3:12)
2. From the Doom of the Ungodly (Psalm 1:5)
1. In the judgment
1. The ungodly
2. Not able to stand (Revelation 20:11-15)
2. In the congregation of the righteous
1. The sinners
2. Not able to stand (Revelation 21:8)
3. From the Damnation of the Ungodly (Psalm 1:6)
1. The way of the righteous
1. Known by the Lord
2. He will watch over them (Psalm 37:18; Nahum 1:7).
2. The way of the ungodly
1. It shall perish.
2. They shall be destroyed (Proverbs 14:12).

CONCLUSION: God never promised to remove all trials or to give us heaven on earth. However, He has promised that the man who separates himself from the world and gives himself over to the Lord will be blessed.