Here is a quick summary of Chapter 1 of the Book of Psalms. I hope you find it helpful!
Summary:
Author: Unknown
Psalm 1 introduces us to two “characters” or types of people: the blessed person and the wicked person.
The blessed person does not follow the counsel of ungodly people but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night.
(The word “law” is the Hebrew “Torah,” which means “instruction” and was the Scripture of that time.)
The blessed person is compared to a tree that is planted by streams of water, a constant source of sustenance. This tree will not wither but will produce fruit in its season.
The wicked, on the other hand, are like chaff: the lighter husks which are separated from the wheat in the process of threshing and are blown away by the wind.
One is stable, healthy and fruitful; the other is dry, without substance and is blown to and fro.
Main takeaway
The main distinction of the blessed person is that they delight in the instruction of the Lord, i.e. Scripture, and meditate on it day and night.
When we meditate on the Word of God we become like a tree that extends its roots into an abundant and inexhaustible source of life.
How to put it into practice
The word translated “meditate” in Psalm 1:2 is the Hebrew “hagah”, which literally means to “murmur” or “mutter”, something we do when we just can’t get an idea out of our mind and we find ourselves repeating it under our breath.
To meditate on the Scriptures is to take a short passage, phrase or word and reflect on it over a period of time, repeating it in our mind like an idea we can’t let go of.
Other themes in Psalm 1:
1. The company we keep is key. Where are we seeking counsel (advice)?
2. God’s instruction, i.e. the Scripture, is the only valid source of counsel and the only thing that will provide us with the sustenance we need.
3. Fruit comes in its season. A healthy tree doesn’t constantly produce fruit, and we shouldn’t expect to either.
4. A day of judgment will come, and all will appear before God on that day.
