Psalm 1:1-3

Psalm 1:1-3 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; 2 but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.
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I've been reading Psalm 1 for the past couple of days. I know, I know. It sounds ridiculous to read six verses over and over again, but I think there is so much behind it that we just don't realize in a single read. Read, meditate, read, analyze, meditate, and read. Sounds tedious, doesn't it?

Our society has tried to do everything it possibly can to keep us from hearing the voice of God. Think about it. When was the last time everything in the house/apartment/ trailer/ car/ truck.. you name it..... was completely silent? Are we scared of the silence? What are we afraid of finding in the deep places of our hearts when nothing is there to distract us?

Notice the progression of closeness in the opening section of passage. Walk...stand...sit... each seems to imply a gradual closeness to the "wicked, sinners and mockers." While this is an example of grammatical parallelism (A-B-C, A1-B1-C1, A2-B2-C2), the changes are what is most significant. You can walk by a room and hear a little bit that may influence you. You can stand at the doorway and still be distant from the conversation, but sitting implies that you are a part of the group. Blessed indeed is the one who doesn't do this, but why is this one blessed?

This one is blessed because he/she is rooted in the Word of God. The "law of the Lord" that is mentioned in verse 2 is also known as the torah or instruction. It is the Bible. The Bible is the God-inspired account of the people of God. It is our story. It is the story of the children of God, those who have entered into a relationship with the Father through the Son, Jesus Christ. The blessed one is compared to a tree that is planted near a stream - living water. In the appropriate time, such a tree yields fruit. Its purposes are fulfilled. Our purposes become more and more clear as we continue being rooted in the Word of God, and as we continue in relationship with God, we fulfill our purposes in the appropriate time.

There are some important remarks at the end of the chapter, but I think they are pretty-well explained in the beginning of the chapter. And besides, that quite a bit for one posting.

Just some musings from a traveling pilgrim.