Psalm 1.1-2
Psalm 1 was deliberately placed in the Psalter as the opening Psalm This song serves as an introduction to the Book of Psalms in several ways. As will be seen, the Psalmist wished to declare from the outset that God’s Law, his Word, is central to finding true happiness in life.
The Psalms that follow share in that purpose.
In verse 1, three actions descriptive of life are declared: walking, standing, and sitting. Two other behaviors are defined in verse 2: delighting and meditating. These five actions or behaviors are part of the essential elements of life.
An interesting feature of the psalm is the use of the word bless. Two Hebrew words can be translated "bless," blessed," "blessing," etc. Transliterated into English, these words are barak and asher. The word used in Psalm 1.1 is asher, meaning "to be happy." This word is found most often, but not always, in Psalms. Sometimes translated happy, most times asher is translated blessed.
In the majority of the times asher is used, the word describes a state of mind resulting from obedience or conformity to the will of the Lord. The psalmist wanted the readers and hearers of the Psalms to know that personal happiness in life results from one’s acting in accordance with the truths of God’s Law.
According to Psalm 1, a person who finds happiness in life does so by avoiding three things and doing two. These issues involve lifestyle choices. The correct decisions are all related to one’s core values.
Walking, standing, and sitting are not simple physical acts. Each of these words is used metaphorically and symbolize the conduct of life itself. To "walk" connotes living one’s life. For instance, Genesis 5.24 states, "Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." Enoch lived his whole life with God. Certainly he walked with God, but even when he was not "walking," he was living in accordance with the reality of God and his truth.
Standing means more than being physically upright. The one who stands is the one who "takes a stand," who positions himself on one or the other side of an important issue. So, the righteous man (Psa. 1.6) does not take his stand in the "way" of sinners; he does not place himself within the context of the lifestyle of sinners.
Sitting has to do with the nature of decision-making. The "sitting place" of the scornful can refer to the deliberative counsel of those who are contemptuous of the Law of the Lord. The scornful have chosen to ignore God and resort to their own values. The righteous man rejects such choices.
The righteous man is the one who wholeheartedly rejects the lifestyle, philosophical and ethical positions, and deliberative processes of those who refuse to acknowledge God. Such a context for life is rejected as a viable alternative.
For the happy man, life is best lived within the ethical framework outlined in the Law of the Lord. The righteous man mediates day and night on the Law of the Lord. The Hebrew word translated "meditate" is perhaps an onomatopoetic word, and means to moan or growl, hence, to mutter or meditate. God told Joshua to "be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go." Further, he was instructed to "meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success."
As the righteous person meditates, the truth of God’s Word is imprinted on his heart; the truth is reinforced, and becomes a part of the person himself. As the truth is internalized, the righteous person will act according to the truth of the Law. So, meditating leads to doing according to the law. Meditating on the Word brings happiness.
Daily study of the Word, exposure to systematic proclamation of the Truth, constant meditation upon the Law, and consistent application of the principles of God’s Word bring fulfillment and are the marks of a righteous, happy person.
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