Psalm One
Prologue to the Psalms

This Psalm is thought to actually be an introductory to the collection of Psalms. It sets the tone and mood of the collection, describing the ‘righteous’ man in contrast to the ‘sinner.’

Ps 1:1
1 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. (KJV)

The righteous man is considered first in terms of what he does not do:
he does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly
he does not stand in the way of sinners
he does not sit with the scornful

The ‘counsel of the ungodly’ is the state of mind from which the wicked operate. We are told by Paul that the wicked take a position to suppress the truths of God that are plainly declared by creation.

Rom 1:18-25
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (KJV)

There is, of necessity, in the thought life of the believer a rejection of all modes of thinking which do not yield to the authority of God and the teachings of His word. It is not possible to hold, at one and the same
time, a proper attitude toward God and a passivity toward error. The person who would be blessed by God is, by his very nature and moral posture, a harsh critic of the ‘counsel’ of all those who reject God and
His authority. He is an active enemy of all modes of thinking that are false. He rejects them, denounces them, and speaks contrary to them.

He does not ‘stand in the way of sinners.’ This goes to the issue of behavior. The saint stands facing the opposite moral direction of those who have rejected God. He does not and cannot affirm the moral teachings of God’s word while, at the same time, passively tolerating immorality or, even worse, living in the lifestyle of the world. These issues are oil and water, light and darkness, life and death. They are, by definition, contrary the one to the other.

1 Cor 10:20-21
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. (KJV)

The saint not only rejects, in an active fashion, the moral behavior of the ungodly but he actively, continually, and vigorously rejects their worship as well.

Neither does he ‘sit’ with the ‘scornful.’ Those who mock at the word of God are not and cannot be the social companions of the saint. He will be uncomfortable with them and he will make them uncomfortable with him. He cannot ‘fellowship’ with them nor ‘commune’ with them for both of those words imply that the two parties hold important ideas and emotions in common.

1 Cor 15:12
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? (KJV)

1 Cor 15:33
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (KJV)

1 Cor 15:33
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (NAS)

He who would hold to good morals rejects associating in any kind of intimate way with ‘bad company,’ those who either by word or life mock God, His word, and His rule in the world.

— March 29, 2020