Articles & Devotionals
"I Would be Delighted!"
"I would be delighted!"
It is wonderful to hear someone say this. It means there is no reservation, no hesitation, no equal alternative. They are looking forward with eager anticipation to the coming event or task.
But did you know God would have you say that, and live that, about His Word?
The Book of Psalms is unique in a number of ways. It spans almost the entire Old Testament Period, (from Moses to the captives returning from captivity) and its songs were sung by the New Testament Church. Some psalms teach while others are meant for praise. Some are a personal and intimate look into someone’s failure while others gather the voices of believers in a great chorus of joy. The songs were sung by the prophets, by the Apostles, by the martyrs, and we join with them when we sing these ancient words. The Book of Psalms is a vast and deep treasure trove for learning about the God of Heaven and what it means to be a part of His Household.
If this book holds such a central place in the history of God’s people, how should it begin?
Blessed.
Psalm 1 begins with a word that is at the center of who we are. Time and again God has told and retold His children that they are blessed. Here are just a few examples.
- Genesis 12, God calls Abram and tells him he is blessed and will be a blessing to those who bless him.
- Deuteronomy 2, Moses tells the people they are blessed of God and in chapter 28 is a long list of the blessings to Israel.
- Mary is declared blessed as she learns she will give birth to the Savior.
- Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with a series of declarations about those that are blessed of God, such as “Blessed are the poor in spirit...Blessed are they who mourn...”
- Paul begins many of his letter with the word blessed and launches what is almost his own psalm in Ephesians 1 with “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing...” In the first breath he mentions being blessed three times.
- Even the last book ends with “Blessed are they who head the warnings...”
Time and again God has wanted to remind us that we are blessed. Is it any wonder that the first word of the Book of Psalms is the word blessed?
Psa 1:1-2
(1) Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
(2) but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Everyone who studies this passage mentions the double progression of “walk/stand/sit” and “wicked/sinner/scoffer.” This is a description of the progressive nature of sin (“it gets worse”). This should be familiar from Romans chapter 1.
Instead, let us spend time with verse two. First, the psalmist says the blessed of God find delight in His law. Delight is a craving, the anticipation of good, a desire for important and comforting things. Jesus uses deep desire when He said, “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness...” Psalm 19 tells us God’s word is like honey and gold, two very desirable and passionate things.
What are you passionate about? It is easy to identify what your passion is by looking at how you spend your time and your opportunities. On Facebook you my pass by a post about a cat (not passionate) but stop and read a post about gardening, (passionate). What do you talk about with friends? What do you send time thinking about? All of these are indicators of your delights and passions. Verse 2 says to be passionate about God’s Word is to think about it day and night.
We sometimes get hung up on the word “meditate” as in “meditates day and night.” Some scholars have talked about the root idea being a word that mean “to mutter” as in speaking under your breath. This image is of someone having God’s Word on their lips all throughout the day, thinking about it, remembering it, talking about it, and sharing it.
Most important is that we can choose to treasure the Word. It is a matter of choosing to spend time looking, thinking, talking and applying the Word to the exclusion of other things and other thoughts. When we discuss Psalm 19, we will see how each and every part of the Word brings wisdom, joy, comfort, understand and hope, but only if we learn and understand it. It is a passion that will not disappoint.
This first psalm declares the Blessed of God are those people who delight in His Word. They have God’s Truth on their minds and lips anytime of the day or night. They find joy in having a moment to talk about it or even just thinking about it.
It is...delightful!
