Psalm 1 (NRSV)
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Verse 1Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;
Verse 2but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.
Verse 3They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.
Verse 4The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Verse 5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
Verse 6for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Devotion
Something was wrong with my body. I began to panic when the uneasy symptoms kept me in bed and refused to release their grip. Unable to pinpoint what was wrong, I called a friend instead of an ambulance. As soon as she arrived, she took one look at me, grasped my hand and pinched the skin on the back. I was dehydrated, she said, and brought water to me. Her clue was that the pinched skin remained sticking up. I had access to a surplus of water, streams from faucets, but I hadn't recognized my need. Now I wonder if there is a sign to warn the righteous when they have moved away from God's nourishing streams of water? How do we notice our leaves beginning to wither? When do we realize we are following the advice of the wicked or are stepping onto the paths of sinners?
Prayer
Lord, forgive my ignoring your abundant streams of water that nourish my soul. Draw me in daily to meditate on your word so I may walk with the righteous. Grant that I never need a pinch test to measure my delight in you. Amen.