Psalms

Psalms 1: God knows the righteous way

Begin in prayer

Before we hear about the tree and the chaff, let us ask God to search the way we are walking. Ask Him to teach us to love His Word and see our need of Jesus.

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.

Joshua 1:8

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the LORD knows the righteous way and judges wickedness. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The book of Psalms begins with two ways to live, and it tells us where each one ends. One man refuses wicked advice and finds delight in the LORD's instruction. Like a tree planted beside water, he has what he needs to bear fruit in season. The wicked are like chaff, the light husks the wind carries away when grain is separated. Their way ends in judgment, while the LORD knows the way of the righteous.

As you read Psalms 1, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD knows the way of the righteous, and the way of the wicked will perish.

Before we begin these prayers and songs, God teaches us whose voice to hear. Walking, standing and sitting describe a life settling into wicked company. The blessed man finds another delight, turning God's instruction over in his mind through the day and night. A tree beside streams has a steady supply of water, so its fruit comes in season. That picture explains prosperity here, a life bearing fruit under God's care. The chaff has no root and cannot hold its place when the wind comes. God's judgment will expose that difference, and religious respectability cannot provide a third way. We need the righteousness of Jesus, who always delighted in His Father's will.

How does Psalm 1 show us that the LORD knows the way of the righteous, and the way of the wicked will perish?

God's Word gives the righteous man delight.

The man does more than refuse bad advice. He loves the LORD's instruction and thinks about it day and night. What we return to in our thoughts shows what we treasure.

The LORD keeps the righteous way from ending in ruin.

The tree bears fruit because it stands beside water. The LORD knows the righteous person's whole way, with the care the final verse describes. The wicked cannot stand in His judgment, however secure they seem today.

Memorise

For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.

Psalm 1:6

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, whose advice am I trusting more than the Lord Jesus?

The psalm ends with a warning, “the way of the wicked shall perish.” Our choices have an end, and every one of us has listened to sinful counsel. Looking good before people cannot give anyone the righteousness God requires.

Jesus always loved His Father's will. Yet at the cross He carried the sin of His people and suffered the judgment their rebellion deserved. The Father raised His Son to life. His obedience and offering have fully answered His people's guilt, giving them the righteous standing their own lives could never provide.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. All who believe in Him receive forgiveness and a righteous standing they could never earn. Ask Him to give you delight in His Word. The Lord who knows the righteous way will care for those who belong to His Son.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD knows the righteous way and judges wickedness. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He knows the righteous way. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

for the words which you have given me I have given to them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me.

John 17:8

Lord God, You know every path we take. Please forgive our love of sinful advice, and bring us to trust Your Son. Give us delight in Your Word, and let it guide our choices through this week. Thank You that righteousness and life are found in Jesus. Amen.