Psalm 1
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
When I was young, we often sang this song during our Sunday School opening.
“Jesus is my Savior I shall not be moved
In His love and favor I shall not be moved
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters Lord
I shall not be moved.
I shall not be I shall not be moved
I shall not be I shall not be moved
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters Lord
I shall not be moved” (John T. Benson, Mrs. James A. Pate, Words -1950 New Spring)
When I was researching the song, I found this verse which lines up better with the writer’s words in Psalm 1.
“Glory hallelujah, I shall not be moved.
Anchored in Jehovah, I shall not be moved.
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters Lord
I shall not be moved.” (Alfred Henry Ackley, Lyndell Leatherman; Words, Public Domain)
What a wonderful visual and reminder to stand firm in God.
Psalm 1 is a contrast between a Godly man and a wicked man. The Godly man isn’t walking, standing, or sitting with the wicked. Instead, he is delighting and meditating in God’s law, God’s Word. The presence of God’s Word in his life is like a tree firmly planted by streams of water.
Have you ever seen such a tree? It is usually bending toward the water, and often you can see the large, exposed roots. It gets constant nourishment, constant life-giving water because of its proximity to the water. The tree is fruitful, the leaves don’t wither. This is the picture of a man rooted in the Lord and immersed continually in His Word.
The last three verses of the Psalm picture a completely different person, a wicked person.
Have you ever seen chaff blowing in the wind? Chaff is the dry, scaly protective casing of seeds or other plant material. In Hector, Minnesota where we lived for many years, there was (and still is) a celebration called Corn Chaff Days. It was an appropriate name, because corn chaff often blew from the large grain elevators all over the streets and sidewalks of this little farming community. It scattered everywhere, and eventually disappeared with the strong winds, lost forever. Just like the wicked man.
Two scenes in God’s creation
- Strong, firmly rooted tree by the waters
- Blowing, dusty chaff, cast off and receiving no nourishment
Two men presented
- Godly man who does not STAND in the paths of sinners
- Wicked man who does not STAND in the judgment
The choice is ours.
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15a,d
-Paula Kirkpatrick
Reflection Questions
- What contrasts in nature remind you of the Godly man and the wicked man?
- What can you do in your own life to root yourself deeper in God’s Word?
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