INTRODUCTION: The first psalm describes the blessed man and contrasts him with the ungodly man. Psalm 32:1-2 [1] Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. [2] Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
See All... tells us that the basis of all blessing in the life of man is forgiveness of sin. The first psalm tells us about the life of this blessed man.

1. HIS REJECTION (Psalm 1:1Blessed 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.
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1. The Wisdom of the World (Psalm 1:1Blessed 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.
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1. No observation: he walks not (Amos 3:3Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
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2. Counsel: the recommendations of the world (Jeremiah 10:2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
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3. Ungodly: those who leave God out of their lives (Psalm 10:4The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
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2. The Way of the World (Psalm 1:1Blessed 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.
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1. No association: he stands not (Proverbs 13:20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
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2. Way: the path of their actions (Proverbs 4:19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
   See All...; Matthew 7:13-14 [13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
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3. Sinners: those who actively disobey God’s commandments (Genesis 13:13But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
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3. The Wickedness of the World (Psalm 1:1Blessed 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.
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1. No participation: he sits not (Psalm 26:4-5 [4] I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. [5] I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
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2. Seat: seat indicates permanence and full identification (Jeremiah 15:17I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.
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3. Scornful: those who make a mockery of the things of God (Proverbs 21:24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
   See All...; Jude 1:18How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
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4. Note: take note of the progression in this verse. It will help you to understand the way people turn from righteousness unto wickedness.
1. The progression of interest
1. Walking – still easy to walk away
2. Standing – can begin to walk at any time
3. Sitting – full commitment
2. The progression of influence
1. Counsel – listening to advice
2. Way – trying the practices
3. Seat – making the choice
3. The progression of identity
1. Ungodly – just leaves God out of his life
2. Sinner – practices sin
3. Scorner – makes a mockery of God and holy things
2. HIS REJOICING (Psalm 1:2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
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1. His Delight in God’s Word (Psalm 1:2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
   See All...; Job 23:12Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
   See All...; Jeremiah 15:16Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
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2. His Devotion to God’s Word (Psalm 1:2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
   See All...); meditation (Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
   See All...; 1 Timothy 4:15Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
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1. Definition: To meditate means to ponder; to reflect upon; to think deeply about. Some have used a cow chewing its cud as a picture of meditation. The cow is rechewing food that has already been eaten. When we meditate on scripture, we think deeply about something God has said in His word. We chew it over and over again in our mind until some new nourishment is found in it.
2. The benefits of scriptural meditation:
1. Perception of truth – Through meditation we digest the truths of God. This increases our understanding of God’s way and leads us to the path of wisdom (Psalm 119:99I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
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2. Profit from scripture – Through meditation we apply the teachings of scripture to our hearts and lives. We are changed to our profit (1 Timothy 4:15Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
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3. Purity of heart – Through meditation we are kept from sin and are brought into a position of holiness with God (Psalm 19:13-14 [13] Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. [14] Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
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4. Prosperity in service – Through meditation our work for the Lord will be prosperous; we will accomplish that which He pleases (Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
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5. Prayer effectiveness – Meditation works as an aid to our prayer life (Psalm 5:1-2 [1] Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. [2] Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
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6. Patience in adversity – Meditation on the things of God strengthens us when we are being attacked by the ungodly (Psalm 119:23Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
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7. Peace and joy – Through meditation God gives us peace and joy and conquers the melancholy spirit (Psalm 104:33-34 [33] I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. [34] My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
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3. His Discipline in God’s Word (Psalm 1:2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
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3. HIS REWARD (Psalm 1:3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
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1. Provision (Psalm 1:3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
   See All...); like a tree planted by the rivers of water
1. To grow like a tree
1. Trees never stop growing (Psalm 92:14They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
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2. Trees have good and bad years (2 Timothy 4:2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
   See All...; 1 Peter 1:6-7 [6] Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: [7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
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3. Their roots reach for moisture (Hosea 14:5I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
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4. Their branches reach for sunlight (Hosea 14:6His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
   See All...; Psalm 55:16-17 [16] As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. [17] Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
   See All...; Philippians 3:14Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.
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2. To bear fruit like a tree
1. Made to bear fruit (Genesis 1:11-12 [11] And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. [12] And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
   See All...; John 15:16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
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2. Enabled to bear fruit (Galatians 5:22-23 [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
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3. The fruit has a purpose (Genesis 1:29And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
   See All...; Romans 6:21-22 [21] What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. [22] But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
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3. To multiply like a tree
1. The seed of multiplication is in the fruit (Genesis 1:11And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
   See All...; Proverbs 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
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2. The multiplication pattern is after his kind (Genesis 1:11And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
   See All...; 1 John 3:1-3 [1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. [2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. [3] And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
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2. Productivity (Psalm 1:3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
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1. Brings forth fruit (John 15:4-5 [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
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2. In his season (Galatians 6:7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
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3. Permanence (Psalm 1:3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
   See All...); “shall not wither” – 1 Peter 1:3-5 [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, [5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
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4. Prosperity (Psalm 1:3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
   See All...); “shall prosper” – Isaiah 55:11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
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4. HIS RESCUE (Psalm 1:4-6 [4] The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. [5] Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. [6] For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
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1. From the Death of the Ungodly (Psalm 1:4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
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1. Not as the godly – God makes a difference.
2. They are like the chaff.
1. Carried away by the wind (Job 21:18They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
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2. Burned by the fire (Matthew 3:12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
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2. From the Doom of the Ungodly (Psalm 1:5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
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1. In the judgment
1. The ungodly
2. Not able to stand (Revelation 20:11-15 [11] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. [13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. [14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
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2. In the congregation of the righteous
1. The sinners
2. Not able to stand (Revelation 21:8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
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3. From the Damnation of the Ungodly (Psalm 1:6For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
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1. The way of the righteous
1. Known by the Lord
2. He will watch over them (Psalm 37:18The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
   See All...; Nahum 1:7The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
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2. The way of the ungodly
1. It shall perish.
2. They shall be destroyed (Proverbs 14:12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
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CONCLUSION: God never promised to remove all trials or to give us heaven on earth. However, He has promised that the man who separates himself from the world and gives himself over to the Lord will be blessed.