The Way

The Way

Travelling Along The Way

Introduction

• • Psalms 1 – 8 serve as a description of the ideal righteous person contrasted with a wicked person

• Psalm 1 ESV

1Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

2but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

3He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

4The wicked are not so,

but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

6for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.

Analysis

Verse 1
1Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

• Wicked, sinners, and mockers
  • Walks / Wicked – where we get the word wicker like the furniture. It means to twist, or for our context manipulate
    • There are elements of God everywhere; yet, they are wicked
      • Political party values, other religions, our own minds
        • You are worthless ; no, I am fearfully and wonderfully made
        • I’m not going to put up with their attitude anymore ; love is patient and love is kind
        • God has abandoned me ; though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me

• Stands / Sinners – those who have broken God’s law or deliberately oppose God
  • More about behavior and thought pattern than people
• Sits / Mockers (Scornful) – those full of contempt and derision 
  • Speak up ; keep walking

Verses 2 – 3

2but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

• We must delight in the law of the Lord
• Meditate on it day and night
  • “The perceived distance and difficulty of entering fully into the divine world and its life is due entirely to our failure to understand that ‘the way in’ is the way of pervasive (spread throughout entirely) inner transformation and to our failure to take the small steps that quietly and certainly lead to it.”  – Dallas Willard
    

3He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

• Be planted in the word

Verses 4 – 6 

• 4The wicked are not so,

but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

• The wicked are like chaff because they have no substance

• 5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

• The judgement is a blessing; the wicked are not even considered
• The sinner will not be present in paradise

• 6for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.

• Even when we don’t know or understand the way God knows the way

Application

• There is a clear path for us to follow and a path not to follow. God has not only given us the freedom to choose, but he has explain the reward for both
• God, what step do you want me to take next?

Sermon Questions

• Verse 1 Analysis: Psalm 1:1 describes the blessed person as one who avoids the counsel of the wicked, the way of sinners, and the seat of scoffers. Reflect on times when you have encountered negative influences in your life. How did you respond, and how might you apply this verse to seek godly counsel and avoid negative influences in the future?
• Meditating on the Law: Psalm 1:2 emphasizes delighting in and meditating on the law of the Lord day and night. Consider your daily routines and thought patterns. What practical steps can you take to incorporate regular meditation on God’s Word into your daily life? How might this practice transform your inner life and actions?
• Contrasting Outcomes: Verses 4-6 of Psalm 1 contrast the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked, comparing the wicked to chaff driven away by the wind. Reflect on the long-term consequences of your choices and actions. How does understanding the ultimate fate of the wicked versus the righteous influence your decisions and priorities in life?