The psalmist David gives us several guidelines for life in the very first Psalm. It is a short chapter, only six verses, but it offers an immense amount of wisdom.

He begins by declaring that a person who walks in line with the things he lists is blessed. He says, “How blessed is the man who…,” in verse one.

He first tells us what things a person looking for the righteousness of God should avoid.

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.” (Psalm 1:1 – NASB)

Listed are three activities that contain pitfalls — listening to wicked people, being in the path of sinners and scoffing and being around scoffers.

He continues by revealing the antidote to the aforementioned folly.

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2 – NASB)

Delighting in the law of the Lord will keep us from sinful activity. Meditating on the word of God day and night will keep us from stumbling.

He then tells us of the benefits of delighting in and meditating on God’s word.

“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:3 – NASB)

A person who avoids sin and immerses himself in the word of the Lord will be like a firmly planted tree without defect and prospering in everything. Think of the impregnability, splendor and beauty of that word picture.

Then in the next two verses, he tells us what will happen if we do not avoid evil.

“The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.” (Psalm 1:4-5 – NASB)

The wicked are not firmly planted like a tree. They will not prosper. They are like chaff, which is basically flimsy seed that is easily blown away by the wind. And as a result, the wicked will not stand in the judgment nor in the assembly of the righteous.

Finally, he captures the relationship that God has with the wicked and with the righteous.

“For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 1:6 – NASB)

Let us endeavor to be as righteous trees, firmly planted and immersed in God’s word. Then, we will be able to avoid the snares and schemes of the evil one.