“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD;
and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” — Psalm 1:1–2 (KJV)
Introduction: Two Paths Set Before Every Soul
Psalm 1 opens the Psalms by drawing a clear line between two ways of life. One leads to blessing, stability, and fruitfulness. The other leads to emptiness and judgment. There is no middle ground. From the first verse of Israel’s songbook, God teaches that true blessing is not found in circumstances, wealth, or human wisdom, but in alignment with His Word.
Walking, Standing, and Sitting: The Downward Path of Sin
The psalmist describes a progression that reveals how sin takes hold of a life.
To walk in the counsel of the ungodly is to listen to advice shaped by a godless worldview. It begins in the mind. When a person allows ungodly thinking to guide decisions, the heart slowly drifts away from truth.
To stand in the way of sinners is to grow comfortable with sinful patterns. What was once merely heard becomes practiced. The individual no longer resists sin but tolerates it.
To sit in the seat of the scornful is the final stage. Here, sin is no longer questioned—it is defended. God’s truth is mocked, righteousness is ridiculed, and pride replaces repentance.
The blessed man refuses this progression. He does not take counsel from a world that is in rebellion against God.
Delight in the Law of the Lord
In contrast to the path of the ungodly, the blessed man has a different source of joy. His delight is in the law of the LORD. God’s Word is not a burden to him; it is a treasure.
This delight is rooted in love for God Himself. The law of the Lord reveals God’s character, His will, and His promises. To delight in Scripture is to desire truth, correction, and guidance from the One who created all things.
Meditating Day and Night
Meditation here does not mean emptying the mind. It means filling the mind with God’s Word. The blessed man thinks deeply and continually about Scripture—how it applies to life, conduct, and faith.
Day and night meditation speaks of consistency. God’s Word shapes his thoughts in the morning and steadies his heart in the evening. This constant nourishment guards against deception and prepares the believer to stand firm in difficult times, especially as darkness increases in the last days.
A Picture of True Blessing
Psalm 1 teaches that blessing is the result of obedience and devotion to God’s truth. The blessed man is not driven by culture, emotion, or popular opinion. He is anchored in the eternal Word of God.
In an age of scoffers and spiritual confusion, this psalm calls believers to remain rooted in Scripture. Those who delight in God’s Word and walk according to it will stand secure when all else shakes.
Conclusion: Choose the Blessed Way
Every person chooses where to walk, where to stand, and where to sit. Psalm 1 invites us to reject the counsel of the ungodly and to cling to the truth of God’s Word. The blessed life is not accidental—it is the fruit of loving, trusting, and obeying the Lord.