A Song of Varying Ways

Psalm 1:1-6

INTRODUCTION: The Book of Psalms is commonly divided into five books matching the five books of Moses. The first division covers the first forty-one psalms, ending in Amen, and Amen. The second division covers Psalm 42 through Psalm 72, ending in Amen, and Amen (verse before the last). The third division covers Psalm 73 through Psalm 89, ending in Amen, and Amen. The fourth division covers Psalm 90 through Psalm 106, ending in Praise ye the LORD. The fifth division covers the final forty-four psalms, ending in Praise ye the LORD.
Perhaps the best way to understand the Book of Psalms is to see it as a compilation of songs. Much like Lamentations, the psalms are to be studied independent of each other. Some testify of judgment; some speak of preservation; some chronicle prayers; but, most manifest prayer. Of the 150, seventy-three are specifically identified in the subtitles as being from the pen of David. Several others can be proven to be from David’s pen by comparing scripture with scripture. Sixty-two (some say forty-nine) of the psalms are unassigned in the book, many of which could also be from the pen of David. After all, he was identified as “the sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1).
Some psalms, like Psalm 136, possess refrains intended to remind and drive home a specific practical or doctrinal truth. Others, like the first psalm, drive home the intended truths with little-to-no repetition. In fact, the first psalm, written by an anonymous penman, emphasizes two destinations, brought on by two paths taken by two different men. Many choices begin in seemingly insignificant scenarios, yet end in outcomes anything but insignificant. How great would it be to be able to see the end from the beginning? In His grace, God has provided just that in His word. He first warns us not to make wrong choices and then shows us the outcome of those choices.

I. TWO MEN (Psalm 1:1-2, 4)

A. The Blessed Man (Psalm 1:1-2; see also the last psalm in this section Psalm 41:1)

1. His disassociation
a. The ungodly; the one who is unlike God in his thinking and therefore his actions
b. The sinners; the one who actively works out his ungodly thinking
c. The scornful; the one who ridicules doers of good
2. His association—“the law of the LORD”

B. The Ungodly Man (Psalm 1:4)

1. His association; noted by the phrase “are not so”
a. The ungodly
b. The sinners
c. The scornful
2. His disassociation—“the law of the LORD”

II. TWO PATHS (Psalm 1:1-4a)

A. The Path of Blessing (Psalm 1:1-3)

1. A path of separation (Psalm 1:1-2)
a. His separation from the world (Psalm 1:1)
1.) He “walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly”; the follower
i. Someone gives unscriptural advice.
ii. The individual lends an ear and takes steps in that direction.
2.) He “standeth” not “in the way of sinners”; the participant (see Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:25; James 5:19-20)
i. Now he puts himself in the way of sinners and stands with them.
ii. He is a partaker in the sinfulness of the sinners.
3.) He “sitteth” not “in the seat of the scornful”; the corrupter
i. He now sits authoritatively in the seat of the scornful.
ii. No longer is he merely giving ear to the wrong people.
iii. Now he puts unscriptural materials into the ears of others.
2. His separation unto the LORD (Psalm 1:2)
a. His “delight is in the law of the LORD”.
b. He meditates in that law “day and night.”
3. A path of strength (Psalm 1:3)
a. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.
b. Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

B. The Path of Judgment (Psalm 1:4a)

1. The ungodly are not so.
2. Note: Everything said about the strength of the godly does not pertain to the ungodly.

III. TWO ENDS

A. The Destruction of the Ungodly

1. They are like the chaff which the wind driveth away (Psalm 1:4).
2. They shall not stand in the judgment (Psalm 1:5).
3. They shall not stand in the congregation of the righteous (Psalm 1:5).
4. Their way shall perish (Psalm 1:6).

B. The Blessing of the Blessed (Psalm 1:5-6)

1. They shall congregate (Psalm 1:5).
2. The LORD knoweth their way (Psalm 1:6; see also Job 36:6-7; Psalm 34:15-16).

CONCLUSION: If this section, as is supposed, correlates to the Book of Genesis, it would stand to reason that this psalm would correlate to the time in the garden. Regardless of how closely the two are associated, the truths were played out in the garden and should serve as a warning to us.