New: 8 February 2025; Update: 9 June 2025
The Blessing of obeying
God's Word
Psalm 1 (19; 119)
How blessed is the man [whose]... delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2 NASB
To Read or not to Read...
To read or not to read is an important question. What we read shapes our thoughts and guides our actions. In a world of information overload, it is advisable to find a quiet place of reading and reflection. The question is, what shall we read? Different people have different preferences, as well as different reasons to read. In this series on the Psalms, we recommend reading and reflecting upon the prayers of people like David, Solomon, or Moses. They were all rich in life experience and have much wisdom to share with us. What they left us in Scripture is timeless and relevant.
The psalms are not for 'speed reading' or some superficial glance. They require time and thought; they require prayer and reflection. They can inspire and instruct us; they can comfort and encourage us. The Bible is a collection of books with several different literary types. It is a Book of doctrine (what to believe about God) and devotion (how to relate to God). Both aspects are important. Knowing the truth not only sets free, but it establishes the right framework for healthy reflections. God's Word offers us wisdom and insight on how to understand the world and human existence, as well as how to live happy and meaningful lives. There is a blessing in meditating on God's Word.
The Righteous & the Wicked
Reading Psalm 1 shows a sharp contrast between two types of people: those who delight in God's Word and those who despise it; those who find stability in life and those who are driven by the wind; and those who are fruitful in their deeds and those whose legacy will fade and vanish. On the one hand, this psalm illustrates these two types of people as an observation—as things are; on the other hand, we might see it as an invitation to choose in which group we want to find ourselves—as life could be. We have choices to make. In life, we experience and observe things, and we also conclude based on these, both consciously and subconsciously. We can then learn and become wise, or just let it pass us by and before we know it, we suffer from what we failed or refused to learn. Often, it is too late. When Moses presented the Law of Yahweh to the people of Israel, it came with a choice: to obey it or to reject it. There is blessing in obeying God's Word and there are negative consequences in rejecting it (see Deuteronomy 30:15-20). It is a matter of life-and-death or blessing-and-curses. The choice is ours.
Now, people don't always like this type of moralism; they perceive it as a threat. Unfortunately, some versions of religion are intimidating and unwelcoming. But that is not how it should be. The heart of God the Creator is for His creation to be well by living according to the Maker's instructions. Look at it this way: when we buy an electronic gadget, it comes with an instruction manual which explains to us how to use it. The producers of the gadget know best how to use the very product they made for our benefit (and their profit, admittedly). But God is not a salesperson; He is Creator and Father, and as such He wishes His creation to live a meaningful, satisfied and good life. This is done by living according to the 'divine instruction manual'—the Bible. Whether we are part of the righteous or the wicked is determined by the way we live. We choose. As Moses, urging God's people to choose life and blessing, we too, wish to invite you to this great adventure of knowing God and understanding His Word. The wise Preacher of ancient times, noted that the conclusion of all his meditation and wisdom was to fear God and keep His commandments, for He will bring all things into judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). That is, it is good to revere God and obey what is good for us and others; and we should keep in mind that we will all be held to account for our action. This keeps us from moral depravitiy and social anarchy, which would be harmful to everyone. Accountability and humility are good and important attitudes in life. Meditating on God's Word is a blessing and will bring health, happiness and success!
He will be like a tree
firmly planed by the streams of water,
which yields its fruit in its season
and its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:3
Torah Psalms: Instruction & Wisdom
Sometimes the distortions about who God is blur our understanding of Scripture. Some, wrongly, see the Bible as a blunt moral code to be obeyed, and God is perceived as a coldhearted law giver who punishes those who fall out of line. These are distorted views. The Bible is instruction and wisdom to empower us to handle life in the best possible ways, especially in the face of suffering, and God is foremost a Father who seeks to guide His children to enjoy life responsibly. The so-called 'Torah Psalms' (Psalms 1; 19; 119—numbers that are easy to remember!) place a special emphasis on God's Word as wisdom for life and instructions to do well.
The harsh realities of human existence require wisdom. Even when life is good and easy we need instruction not to ruin what we have. It is vital to have guidelines in life, principles to live by, and wisdom to show us a better way. Hardships make us or break us. They either bring the best out of us, or expose the worst in us. We have the chance to change and grow, or we can become resentful and fail at being a moral example to others. It is a choice. A tough one, but we still have a choice. Scripture instructs us in order to make us wise. The Torah is the source of God's wisdom.
Life and Health from God's Word
The idea in Psalm 1 is to illustrate the beauty, blessing and benefit of obeying God's Word, as well as to warn of negative consequences if we despise it in arrogance and pride. The images of nature in the Bible are striking. The picture of a tree planted by streams of water and yielding fruit is beautiful and meaningful. A tree has so many benefits for nature and all who live on the planet. The Word of God shows us how to function well and be a blessing to others. The psalmist is delighted to understand God's wisdom and instruction; he is passionate about it and eager to do so. The investment of time to study and learn ('day and night') shows a commitment to grow and become what we potentially can become. Remember, a baby, especially in the womb, is not a potential human being, but a human being with potential. We are all created in God's image, fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139; see E22) to live for His purpose (see E24). Life is God's gift to us. Living a good life is our gift to God! What we make of what we are given is our choice in life. Life and health come from God's Word!
The contrast of the righteous who delights in God's Word with the wicked/ungodly, the sinners and the scoffers, who despise it, is stark and strong. It shows us also the importance of attitude and affiliation: what is your attitude towards God, His Word and life in general, and who do you affiliate with in life? Your environment matters. 'Bad company corrupts good habits' (1 Corinthians 15:33), as the ancient proverb goes. Such timeless truth is important. Once we learn more about the Bible, we start to realise just how much of common sense and current wisdom originates in God's Word. Having an attitude of despising God's Word is arrogant and leads to harm. Those who break the moral law have no foot to stand on when judgment is rendered (Psalm 1:4-5), it's a path that will perish (v 6b). The righteous persons, on the other hand, whose delight is in God's Word—to both understand and obey it—are those whose way is known to God (v 6a). The fruitfulness of the tree speaks of fulfilling your potential, doing what is right life and making the world, even in small ways, a better place. Being on a journey with God and meditating (pondering, reflecting on) His Word is beneficial to us and those around us. It instructs us in His ways and teaches us wisdom for a meaningful and beautiful life. Life and health come from God's Word!
Figuratively speaking, the roots of a tree speak of stability and access to nourishment (Psalm 1:3). We all know that the tree is fed through the roots. Once the roots are rotten, the tree will die and fall. We must be healthy and well rooted in life. We do so by our dedication in meditation dnd obedience to God's Word. The yielding of fruit speaks of brining forth good things through our lives. Jeremiah used the same imagery for those who trust God (Jeremiah 17:7-8). Even in drought (times of lack and difficulties), there is life and fruit for those who trust God. These are powerful images to encourages us to trust God and obey His Word. Jesus spoke of the wise person who built his house on the rock (obedience to Christ's teaching), in contrast to the foolish person who build on sand (hearing but not doing). The choice is ours; the consequences will be, too (Matthew 7:24-27). Choice and consequences are like two sides of the same coin; you cannot have one without the other. There is no one-sided coin!
The storms of life are an inescapable reality of life. The question is: are we rooted with stability? The psalmist encourages us to be rooted in God and His Word. The prophet encouraged us to be rooted by trusting God. And then, int he New Testament, Paul instructs the believers to be rooted in Christ (Colossians 2:6-7). In Christ are all treasure of wisdom and knowledge (v 3); He is the fulness of Deity (v 9). He is the incarnate Logos (Word) who came to reveal and explain the one true God to us, and give us grace and truth (John 1:1-18). Being in Christ and rooted in Him so that we also walk in Him as we were instructed in the apostolic teaching (Colossians 2:6-7), is a life with a focus on God (3:1-4; see Q3), which will bring forth beautiful and meaningful things (vv 10-17), in contrast to the sinful. fleshly and elementary things of this world (vv 5-9; 16-23). The believer is called to live in Christ and be rooted in Him to live in the wisdom of God's Word. Life and health come from God's Word!
The law of the LORD is perfect,
restoring the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes...
in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19:7-8, 11b
The Beauty, Blessing and Benefits of obeying God's Word
In the second of the main Torah Psalms, reflections of God's Word show us the beauty, blessing and benefits of obeying God's Word. There is 'great reward' in keeping His laws (Psalm 19:11b). As we pointed out above, attitude matters. Not only is despising God's Word destructive, even those who seek to understand and obey it must make sure their motives in doing so are pure. We do the right things for the right reasons. It is not what you gain from it, in terms of having a selfish motive, yet obeying God's Word is beneficial. His Law is 'perfect,' making us wise, rejoicing our hearts, enlightening our eyes and restoring our souls (vv 7-9). It is more precious than silver and gold (v 10), for its truth and wisdom are priceless and divine. His Word affects all aspects of life, teaching us wisdom to do well and make a positive impact in the world every day. Even hidden or unconscious sins are exposed to we can be guarded against them (vv 12-13). Sometimes we don't even know when we did wrong or do it unintentionally without even realising it. God's Word is the key to a deeper life of pure motives!
'Let the words of my mouth and the meditation [reflection] of my heart
be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer' (Psalm 19:14)
This concluding verse sums up the importance of living honestly before God and the beauty of doing so. Inner purity is vital for a genuine life of love and faith.
There are benefits in abiding by the beauty of God's Word; there is blessing for us and others around us. Psalm 19 illustrates this also in view of God's Creation. The psalm has two halves: the first speaks of creation, the second of covenant. These go together. As the God of Creation He has given a Covenant for us to keep. Keeping God's covenant, expressed in His Law, is sweeter than honey and more precious than gold (v 10). God's Word shows us the best way to live, for ourselves and others round us. Above all, we glorify the God of Creation by keeping His Covenant.
Once we realise that what we do affects others, and that we can actually contribute something good in this world, our perspective shifts. We move away from selfish desires to altruistic deeds—we find meaning and satisfaction in doing what is right. We find joy in helping others and making their lives better, even when it costs us something. There is beauty in sacrifice; there is blessing in giving; and there is benefit in being selfless. We learn to understand the attitude of Christ (Philippians 2:5ff), who laid down His life in love for others (John 15:13). We learn to understand that a life of love is a life of beauty, meaning and satisfaction. To fulfil the Law is to live a life of love, service and goodness (Romans 13:8-10). It is true freedom (Galatians 5:13-14). There is blessing in obeying God's Word!
The third of the Torah Psalms is also the longest psalm. Psalm 119 mediates on the Torah and its beauty, blessing and benefits. It's His Word we keep in our hearts so that we won't sin against the Almighty (v 11), keeping His law wholeheartedly so that we won't wandering off the right path (v 9). His Word was given to be kept (v 4), as the way of truth (v 30), the way of liberty (v 45) and the way of life (v 50). His word truly is a lamp to our feet and a light on our path (v 105) as it gives us the light of understanding (v 130). God is good and does good (v 68) and His Law reflects that goodness and shows us the way of goodness. There is great blessing in living as God intended!