“Psalm 1: God’s Word—Miracle-Gro for Your Soul”

Big fan of "The Sound of Music" here, and I've realised that when Julie Andrews sang, "Let's start at the very beginning… a very good place to start," she wasn't just giving a music lesson. She was onto something deeper. Psalm 1 starts things off strong, laying out two life paths: one that keeps you rooted in God's Word and another that, well… let's just say, it doesn't come with great reviews. And if you're thinking, "No rush, I have plenty of time," James 4:14 hits us with stark reality; life is fleeting - here one moment, gone the next. He compares life to a mist that quickly vanishes, reminding us that the time to choose wisely is now, not later, because eternity is forever, so you might want to pick your track wisely.

This concept of two paths is found throughout Scripture. Jesus presents similar contrasts; he speaks of two masters, two trees and their fruit, two houses, and two gates. These comparisons are meant to help us understand that every person must make a choice, whether consciously or not, about the foundation upon which they build their life.                           

 Matthew 7:13-14 puts it clearly:

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

This passage reminds us that the easier, more popular road isn't always the best one. The wide path is comfortable and filled with distractions, but it ultimately leads to ruin. The narrow path, though more challenging, leads to life and fulfilment in God's presence.

Psalm 1 isn't about threats or fear, there are no commands here – just two simple statements of truth; here are two individuals whose identities are defined by their choices: one is wicked, and one is righteous.

It's a psalm that encourages us to consider who or what we allow to influence us, our choices, and our direction in life. Are we allowing God's wisdom to shape our decisions, or are we being led astray by fleeting, worldly influences?

The Destiny of the Righteous: Team Blessed

Being "blessed" isn't about material success, an easy life, or getting everything we want. It's a deep, unshakeable joy that survives everything -grief, famine, war, even Monday mornings. This kind of joy is rooted in God's presence and the security that comes from living according to His will. It's not dependent on circumstances but on a firm foundation in the truth. Interestingly, Psalm 1 starts by defining the righteous by what they avoid: They don't follow the advice of the wicked, stand with sinners, or sit with those who mock God's ways. In other words, they are intentional about the influences they allow into their lives. Basically, they're the people who hear bad advice and go, "Yeah, nope."

Why? Because life is short, and soaking up the world's nonsense is a one-way ticket to disaster. And before we all get smug thinking, "I'd never do that," Psalm 1 waves a caution flag—yes, you would. Remember Eve? One minute, she's soaking up the wonders of paradise; the next, she's eating forbidden fruit because a talking snake convinced her it was a good idea. 

Honestly, I've been there. When I was a young Christian, I indeed fell into that trap; desperately wanting to do something I knew God didn't want me to do, I would do a mental gymnastics routine worthy of a gold medal in "Most Creative Excuse" until I convinced myself that it was totally fine!

So begins compromise; It starts small. First, you just listen to bad advice. Then you begin considering bad advice. Before you know it, you're living bad advice, and the next thing you know, you're giving bad advice to others.

Paul wasn't kidding when he said, "Bad company corrupts good morals" (1 Cor. 15:33). And if you think sin is like a private VIP club, think again—it loves company. Ever heard the classic, "But everybody's doing it!"? Sin's favourite excuse.

So, Where Does Blessing Actually Come From?

We might anticipate that someone blessed would be characterised by their associations, much like the wicked man who is identified through his company. However, the text specifies that for the blessed man, "his delight is in the law of the Lord" and that "on His law he meditates day and night." 

Okay, a confession: I don't naturally delight in laws. Speed limits? Annoying. Income tax? Painful. But when the psalmist talks about God's law, he means all of God's Word - truths that shape us, challenge us, correct us and make us stronger.

Christianity cannot be reduced merely to a set of do's and don'ts. Life is about what we love, what we delight in and what tastes good to us. Through reading and meditating on the law of the Lord, we come to understand the character of God, including His attributes such as love, mercy, kindness, gentleness, and patience - qualities that His followers take great pleasure in. The more we engage with God's Word, the more He reveals Himself to us, enhancing our love and appreciation for Him. Consequently, His Word becomes increasingly precious to us. And if you struggle to enjoy the Bible, don't panic. Just pray for new taste buds. If the Bible says our hearts have eyes Eph. 1:18, I'm pretty sure they can have taste buds too.

The thing is, we're all hardwired for pleasure - it's like God gave us an "enjoyment switch" because He created us for Himself. But here's the catch: if we're not getting our joy from God and His Word, our brains go, "Ooh, shiny!" and latch onto something far less satisfying, some far lesser thing.

The Righteous Person: A Thriving Tree

Psalm 1 paints a picture of the righteous person as a tree planted by streams of water. This tree is thriving. It's producing fruit. It's not a half-dead houseplant you forgot to water—it's lush, fruitful, and stable.

I'm no expert gardener (I once killed a cactus… actually, multiple cacti), but I know this: trees need good soil, water, and roots. If a tree is planted in a good spot, it flourishes. That's us - when we're planted in God's Word, we grow, thrive, and naturally produce fruit.

And no, not literal apples. The "fruit" here is things like patience, kindness, faithfulness, and self-control—aka, not losing your cool in traffic or replying to rude emails with a passive-aggressive "per my last email!"

Is There More to This Whole "Way of Life" Thing?

"In all that he does he prospers."

So, does this mean all my business ideas will take off, I'll land a job that pays like a king, and suddenly develop the Midas touch? Eh… probably not. But hey, God does have a flair for surprising people! Abraham was rolling in wealth back in the day, and Solomon? Let's just say he wasn't exactly hunting for spare change in his sofa cushions!

But what we do know is that for those who love God, all things work together for good…God will bring something good out of everything. Even in the worst possible circumstances, God will bring something out that prospers. The blessings, the joy, the fruitfulness? They're not tied to global peace, our income or job promotions; they come naturally when we're living within God's principles.

We know that in all circumstances, we can have blessings, happiness,  fruitfulness, and joy. We naturally prosper because we live within the principles set down by the creator.

Think of it like a tree planted by a stream—its roots stay deep, always drawing from the source, always thriving. No matter the season, it's got strength, stability, and the ability to bear good fruit.

That's the destiny of the righteous. That's the destiny of those who delight in the Word of God. 

The Doom of the Wicked: Team Not-So-Great

While the righteous are compared to well-rooted trees, the wicked are likened to chaff. Chaff is the outer husk of the grain; it is lightweight, has no substance and is often blown away by the wind. It is not considered significant.

Verse 5 asserts: "Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment."  Translation? No defence, no loophole, no last-minute plea deal. Just… judgment.

The righteous, on the other hand, are on a solid path—one that leads to Jesus. He's the way, the truth, and the life John 14:6 and He promises to keep us on the right track.

Jesus also left us with a mission Matt 28:19-20

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

That's a pretty sweet deal: follow Jesus, stay rooted in His Word, and get His presence forever.

In the end, the real question is: What kind of person do you want to be? A thriving, deep-rooted tree? Or some sad, useless chaff getting blown away in the wind?

The choice is clear.