Studies in Psalms - How To Prosper

Psalm 1

The first Psalm recorded in the Bible sets up the rest of them and is a preface to the Christian life. In it we see a contrast between how the disciples of Christ live versus how the wicked of the world do.  We see in verse 1 who is the blessed one.

Psalm 1:1

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!

Then we see simply why.

Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

The blessed ones are those who delight in the words of scripture and who not only read it, but they chew on it all day. They think about what it says and they consider it deeply as they go deep into its meaning and its value in instruction.

Verse 3 explains that those who delight in God’s Word will prosper as they are like a tree planted near streams of water which means it gets plenty of nourishment, thus it grows and gives good fruit. Far too often we look for what God will do for us, but the truth is God wants us to be fruitful and a tree’s fruit is not for itself, it’s to fill the earth with more trees. That is our mission. To bless us others with our fruit.

There is a great promise in verse 3. The one who delights in the law of the Lord? Whatever he does prospers. That is what this says.

But the psalm goes on to explain who the wicked are and what happens to those who do not delight in His law.  

They are like chaff which the wind drives away. The wicked will not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

And why? Verse 6 explains, For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.

The lesson is clear. Those who are led and directed by the Bible and find delight in it will prosper and one day stand in the assembly of the righteous. But those who choose the way of the world? They shall not prosper. They shall perish.

Do not fall into the trap of the Devil, who leads you to think that because many who reject God are this very day seeming to prosper, and that they are the ones to follow. 2 Peter 3:9 explains that, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

We have a choice. Which man will you be? Read Psalm 1. Meditate on it. Today. Repent and do not perish. Then you will prosper.