Psalm 1

The Two Ways

1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; 2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.

4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

I heard a theologian speaking on this psalm that his Godfather told him, “The Psalms begin with a tree.”

When you think of a tree, what comes to mind? What image do you have?

What does a tree need to grow and thrive?

How is your faith like a tree?

This theologian also stated that the word translated as “law” in this passage would be better translated as “Scripture” or “Word.” Law is limiting in our understanding of what God’s word is all about, and I think often carries a negative connotation.

But the Word of God, as the psalmist later writes, is like “a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

Thinking of the Word of God like a stream from which we are nourished and grow and thrive and live is a beautiful image.

Taking this a step further, may we not forget that Jesus is the Word Made Flesh, the embodiment of this nourishing gift of God.

As we continue our Lenten journey, I want to commend YOU for taking time to be nourished in the Word of God, just by taking time to read this today. Thank God for this gift of life.

One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from God.

Let us pray: Your Word, O Lord is the life-giving nourishment we need today. Fill us with the good news. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen