Blessed Is the Man ... and Woman (Psalm 1:1)

Today's scripture: Psalm 1:1

Happy New Year!

A few years ago, I focused on some of my favorite psalms. The older I get, the more attracted I am to their truths. They encourage, affirm, and convict—often all at the same time.

So, for the foreseeable future, I’m going back to these ancient, beautiful, and still relevant words. I may not get through all 150 (in 2014, I only touched on about a third of them), but I think I’m just going to start at the beginning and meditate chronologically on as many as touch my heart. If you’ve been with me for a while, you’ll find some “repeats” alongside new inspiration. As we begin this journey (which may take several years!), I pray your heart is touched as well.

Let’s start with Psalm 1. I usually use the New American Standard translation as my study Bible (and the link above is, indeed, that translation), but I often look at other versions or paraphrases when I’m meditating on God’s word. I truly believe that, just as the Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the original manuscripts eons ago, He has inspired those who have prayerfully translated or paraphrased the words through the centuries.

And so, when I’m looking at verses I find so familiar—like today’s—I love to see how others have been inspired.

One paraphrase I really like is the Contemporary English Version, and it renders today’s verse this way:

God blesses those people
who refuse evil advice
and won't follow sinners
or join in sneering at God.

When I read these words, I see some principles to live by.

First, God blesses those who “refuse evil advice.” We’re surrounded by those who give us advice about how we should live. We watch movies or television shows, or read magazines that tell us we should be prosperous, no matter what it takes. We should be sexually free, not worrying about commitment or intimacy. We should do whatever we need to in order to get ahead, even if that means we have to step on a few people to get there.

We must “refuse” that advice because it goes against God’s word. Instead, we need to be so saturated with truth that we follow God’s ways and His advice.

Second, God blesses those who “won’t follow sinners.” I see this as being a warning about being careful about those with whom we associate. We’ll always have to be around nonbelievers—unless we join a monastery. However, we cannot let them influence us to sin. Instead, we need to be the light of Christ to them.

Finally, God blesses those who don’t “join in sneering at God.” It honestly breaks my heart when I hear people take God’s name in vain, using it as just another word. They don’t reverence Him or speak His name with awe. Others willfully and rebelliously speak of God maliciously and hatefully.

We need to speak words of praise and seek to glorify God with everything we say.

Then God will bless us. And I don’t know about you, but I really desire His blessing!