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We foolishly sacrifice the benefits of Psa 1:3 when we willfully ignore or neglect the knowledge of the truth (Psa 1:2) or fail to apply the truth where the rubber hits the road [Psa 1:1, naturally, you cannot observe to apply what you don’t know due to a lack of endeavor found in v2] from what we have learned in the attitude and action of the Psalm 1:2 man.
Psa 1:3 is virtually a spiritual paradise in and of itself that we forfeit on this side of eternity whether sinning in knowledge or sinning in ignorance. Take heed of glossing over this verse because it is a picture of spiritual healthiness according to God.
Why would we give up such a superb spiritual splendor of v3 for the ways of the world that are temporal and passing away? Is there anything in this world worth giving up the blessings of v3? If I were a betting man, I would think that Adam would say in retrospect given his situation in the Garden an emphatic “No!” He knew he made a huge and irreversible mistake. We are still reeling by what he (or we in Adam) set in motion (cf. Rom 8:22); we are going to die one day (Rom 5:12) if the rapture does not occur in our lifetime.
Fortunately, unlike the Garden of Eden, the cherubim are not guarding against re-entrance into experiencing firsthand the spiritual wonder of Psalm 1:3; we can return as believers to a virtual spiritual “paradise” through genuine confession (cf. 1 Jn 1:9, confess = agree). In my humble estimation, Psa 1:3 is the best and only place to be spiritually on earth since the Fall of man because it represents the spiritual climate of being in the center of God’s will on earth regardless of our GPS location or the environmental dynamics. Peace never means the absence of conflict, yes? I love these words of Jesus,
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33).
In v1, we see the deliberate and decisive actions of a believer who is “in the world” (cf. Jn 17:11; Php 2:15) but not “of the world” (Jn 15:19; 17:16). We see that he is not doing some things “of the world” that are customary to the world and contrary to the teaching of Scripture. Rather, the blessed man is in sync with God’s precepts for his life in all that he does, 24/7/365, not just a touch and go on occasional Sunday mornings.
The Psalm 1:2 man is not caught up in the slipstream of walking in the counsel of the ungodly, standing in the way of sinners, or sitting in the seat of the scornful. Looking through the optics of NT truth, we can see that he recognizes that the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are of the world, and all that is in the world is passing away (cf. 1 Jn 2:16-17). Notice three things he doesn't do which invariably catches the attention of the ungodly because he is going upstream rather than downstream.
The blessed man walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, v1. He is not acting (“walks”) upon worldly counsel that challenges God, His Word, His people, or the things of God (cf. Psa 119:24, “Your testimonies are my delight and my counselors.”).
The blessed man does not stand in the path of sinners, v1. He is not taking a position (“stands”) with the world that opposes God, His Word, His people, or the things of God (cf. Psa 16:11; 26:12; Eph 6:13, 14).
The blessed man does not sit in the seat of the scornful, v1. He is not sitting (sits) in hypocritical judgment with the world that mocks God, His Word, His people, or the things of God (cf. Prov 3:34; 9:12; 2 Pet 3:3).
Notice the verbs (walks-stands-sits); the way of the world as seen in v1 is a downward progression or “sin’s sequential downward drag” (MacArthur) that ultimately leads to a nasty end in 1:6b, “the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Given what we know of special revelation from the NT, perishing encompasses eternal habitation in the lake of fire. This is so tragic given the fact that Jesus went to the cross for humanity to provide a way for man to avert such a dreadful destiny.
v2, “But His delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he mediates day and night.”
It does not say in v1 the reason for the blessed man avoiding the ways of the world. The conjunction, “but,” however, links his surface actions to the subsurface of v2, giving us insight into the motive of his actions or non-actions (not doing something common to the world), basing his behavior on greater authority than himself, by refusing to join in or participating with the world.
Just because everyone is running in autonomous mode (independent of God, self-directed, self-governed, self-reliant, rebelling against the authority of God) should set off an alarm for every believer that it will be spiritually hazardous to follow suit. In this case, resisting Yahweh at every turn through ungodly counsels, ungodly positions, and ungodly hypocritical and destructive criticisms.
No, the blessed man operates under a different authority, a higher authority, an opposing worldview to the ways of the world, and in so doing, he finds himself within the crosshairs of the enemy of his soul. It simply comes with the territory (cf. 2 Tim 3:12). It should never be surprising to sustain pushback from the world; if they hated Jesus; they will hate us who follow Him.
What can be surmised correctly between verses 1 and 2 is that the supremely blessed man is deliberately and decisively allowing v2 to define his public actions or conduct in the world. V 2 is character building and is put to the test and honed in the crucible of v1, in front of the world. He is unashamedly acting upon His worldview as the right course of action in v1 regardless of those moving in the opposite direction.
He moves forward avoiding the downward drift. His character (v2) and conduct (v1) are calibrated! He is spiritually balanced. His belief and bodywork are in unison. In other words, his talk matches his walk. His actions are predicated on his attitude concerning “the law of the LORD” or the Word of God, not some secular humanistic source. He obviously knows that the way of the ungodly is extremely negative and resistant to all things God. Such counsel, position, and tone inevitably lead the opposition party to a perishable end (Psa 1:6b; cf. Mt 7:13).
“Supremely blessed is the righteous man!” So, why are some believers still unhappy? There is no understanding of the why of it! It doesn’t make sense for us to drift; some believers are buying back into the world’s understanding of happiness and therefore attempting to rewire the pursuit of happiness via the way of the world, which by the way, is passing away... It is virtually sailing on a sinking cruise ship. “All aboard!” Why are we attempting to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic?
Again, the Creator God hardwired happiness to holiness; holiness is only found in obedience to God’s Word. The “re-wirers” are doing just the opposite of the Psalm 1:2 man who is plugged into God’s Word, avoiding the world's outlets. They are plugged into worldly thinking and are intentionally ignoring the authority of God's Word, living out an unholy lifestyle by walking, standing, and sitting with the ungodly.
The object of the Psalm 1:2 man and the occupation of his mind toward the things of God throughout the entire day (24 hours) are indicative of a lifestyle approach of taking God’s Word seriously. He is not allowing for interference or distractions. Read that last sentence again! It is the only way to say, “No,” to the world by possessing a mindset of holiness unto God in the daily routines of life. We know the supremely blessed man is feeling the downward pull of the world, but the same Spirit that enlightens him to the truths of God (v2) also enables him to break free of the bands of the wicked who would like nothing better than to bring him down as he moves forward in personal holiness for God’s glory in a godless world (v1).
V2 is the result of a relationship that is not neutral in nature like “I know of Him” or “I know about Him,” but an “I know Him personally, which is replete with interactions with Yahweh in every day of living (cf. Psa 23:1-6). Communication between the blessed man (v1) and Yahweh (v2) is continuous, not just in the “OMG” moments. The spiritual connection is real, dynamic, and powerful.
V2, “His delight”
This delight is personal, intimate, vibrant, and a loving relationship with Yahweh, creating a culture of delight or desire (Prov 8:11) or pleasure (Psa 111:2) to know more of Yahweh and to learn of His ways, hence, the rise and stature of godliness in the life of the Psalm 1:2 man (v1, cf. Rom 12:1-2).
For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her (Prov 8:11).
The works of the LORD are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them (Psa 111:2).
Comparing these verses with our attitude and treatment of the Word of God today is nothing less than unsettling and challenging! Psa 1:2 is obviously more than a superficial inquiry with the intensity of the delight and the time invested into the precepts of God; it is a lifestyle.
V2, “The law of the LORD”
This phrase, “the law of the LORD,” as employed in the Psalms refers to the entire word of God from Genesis to Malachi and is not limited to the Pentateuch or the writings of Moses (cf. Psa 119). Naturally, from our POV (point of view) for a Psalm 1:2 man today, this includes the entire canon of Scripture from Genesis to Malachi and Matthew to Revelation.
The object of the Psalm 1:2 man is a strong delight or desire for the law of Yahweh. Given the inspirational character of Scripture, the quality of the Psalm 1:2 man’s delight in the law of Yahweh was probably along the same vein as the author of Psalm 119: priceless and pleasant,
Priceless: (Psa 119:72) The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
Pleasant: (Psa 119:103) How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Do we see the Word of God as a priceless treasure in our lives? Are the words of God to our taste sweeter than honey to our mouth? Given the inspirational nature of the Scriptures and the commitment of the Psalm 1:2 man to the Word of God, it is probably safe to say this is why he “meditates day and night” on the precepts of Yahweh. The law of the LORD is the very nucleus of his character and conduct. <><
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