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
Psalm 1 depicts a tree firmly planted by flowing water. The writer suggests that God’s people are like such trees, producing fruit at the right time and having the resources to get through hardships. But is it really that simple? We who claim the name of Christian often encounter hard times that don’t always seem so easy for us to get through.
But this psalm invites us to look below the surface. The picture of a deeply-rooted tree suggests that, as children of God, we have a firm foundation that will keep us steady, no matter how unstable or changeable the world around us may be.
The final verse gives us great hope: “The Lord watches over the way of the righteous.” So we can face whatever challenges life may send our way, knowing that we are never alone.
Prayer
God of life, you watch over us and keep us firmly planted in hope. Grant us the confident faith to rely on all that you provide for us, in every season of life. Amen.
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