Psalm BLESSING

I have long returned to Psalm One for direction, clarity and purpose. In another post somewhere some time ago I did my best to interpret and expound on this very small yet powerful Word of God, a lyric from the worship music of Israel in the ancient past.

Today my aim is to unpack a bit of just 2 of it's verses. My focus is not on the many "negative" statements which I'm prone to consider, but rather on the quite positive elements here.

Psalm 1

v2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord,

-The person who meditates day and night on God's Word with an open, right heart comes in time to delight. Delight in what God thinks, says, does. Delight in the Person of God. Do you and/or I actually delight in Him in this way? The "how" is right before your eyes in this statement.

and on his law they meditate day and night.

-When we take such deep satisfaction and joy in the One Who's Word IS TRUTH we come back to it again and again, even more than once each new day in mind, by reading, meditating in considering and applying.

v3 They are like trees

-I've long enjoyed seeing the growth, strength and longevity of trees well-planted in excellent soil, watered, sunned, nurtured by God. I want to be such a "tree" in God's garden! The Word of God plants us in His thoughts, desires, His will and yields good and even eternal fruit in us.

planted by streams of water,

-See how such trees flourish, how lush and productive they are.

which yield their fruit in its season,

-Ahhh for patience as the Gardener does His work by the Spirit! in.it's.season. -not "right now right here immediately"... so "Where IS the fruit I have been expecting?! I may as well give up and quit!" God has His ways, His timing, and the depth of work regarding all the elements of growth and health in our lives spiritually and in whatever work HE (note... *His* work in and through us, not our own at times miss-guided ventures) WILL yield the fruit of His desire precisely when and how HE chooses if we will cooperate, do our part and patiently wait.

and their leaves do not wither.

-Paul writes of our works on earth as gold, sliver, precious stones or wood, hay, stubble. The "tree" we are becoming by faith and loving obedience to Jesus according to God's Word will "not wither", will stand the test of time, last through and beyond storms, floods and etc.. Why? We are "His workmanship" and when daily baptized in His Word of Truth -with application mind you-, "not withering" is the result. Jesus' John chapter 15 statement "fruit that endures/lasts" comes to mind.

In all that they do, they prosper.

-I can hear some of my reader's thoughts: "WHAT?! In 'ALL' I do I prosper? What's with that?" Yes, well, let me give you a couple examples. As a musician who also writes songs I've long realized even if what I write seems useless I am still practicing singing, using various instruments and gaining lessons in composition whether or not the idea/s are ever heard by anyone but me. Yes, even if I think the piece isn't worth sharing, has little or no value such judgement is simply not true!

This Psalm is as much about practice as it is informative and conceptual.

The photographer who takes fifty pics of someone or something may decide (even in the judgement of others more gifted than they are) all those photos are worthless -and then one of them... or the fifty-first shot -leaps out as truly excellent! See, patience, time, prospering isn't always easy, like magic, a quick prayer and boom, you've landed in rich success. Yet the Judge of all Who knows all, sees all, seeks the heart-attitude of love, grace, holy desire above and beyond all else recognizes His reflection and the true prosperity in people. Even deeper than the actual work or offering, this is what truly makes a person "rich".

And as always, thanks for stopping by :) -Glenn