“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” (Psalm 1:1 New King James Version)
“What delight comes to the one who follows Gods ways! He won’t walk in step with the wicked, nor share the sinner’s way, nor be found sitting in the scorner’s seat.” (Psalm 1:1 The Passion Translation)
“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advise of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.” (Psalm 1:1 New Living Translation)
“Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example], nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers [ridiculers].” (Psalm 1:1 Amplified Bible)
“How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers.” (Psalm 1:1 Holman Christian Standard Bible)
“Blessed is the man that walks not in the way of the evil and does not stand in the counsel of sinners and does not sit on the seat of mockers.” (Psalm 1:1 Aramaic Bible in Plain English)
David started out in Psalm 1:1 with the word “Blessed.” He was telling me right at the get go that it was to my advantage to listen to what he was about to say. After all, who doesn’t want to be blessed? I know I do. To be blessed means to be living in full possession of everything that Daddy desires for me to have and experience in my life. A blessed life is a life that is overflowing with God’s protection and provision. It is a life of favor, prosperity (spirit, soul, and body), happiness, and good fortune. Anything less than heaven on earth falls short of my Daddy’s desire and design for me. If I am not experiencing the life of a “Blessed Man” than perhaps I had better listen closely to what David is about to tell me.
In verse one I am shown three things that need to be absent from my life in order to experience the blessed life…
…Ungodly Mindset
I need to think about who and what I listen to. How I think will shape how I live. If those to whom I am giving my ear are filling my mind with information that runs opposite of God’s Word then I will hinder the flow of blessing in my life. It is critical that I be the influencer, not the influenced.
…Sinful Lifestyle
If I am living in a way that “fits in” with those who are living a wicked, Godless, life then I will once again hinder the flow of blessing in my life. I need to “talk the talk” and “walk the walk” of my Daddy. He has a path marked out for me which leads me into abundant life. Walking any other path will lead me to destruction.
…Evil Influence
To “sit in the seat” in verse one is speaking of having a position of influence. To sit at the gate, or to sit on the counsel, were terms referring to those who held positions of authority. To sit on the seat of the scornful (mocker, scoffer, ridiculer), or as one translation puts it, “join a group of mockers,” means that I am having influence on those around me which leads them away from the ways of righteousness.
Jesus spent much of his time hanging out with those that David was referring to. He was attacked by the religous leaders for spending time with “sinners,” and yet he made it very plain that they were the very ones he was sent to by his Father. He was the perfect example of how my Daddy wants me to live, so it is obvious to me that David is not saying that I am to isolate myself from the ungodly, sinners, and scornful. If I do that then I will be hiding my light under a basket and having no positive influence on those who need it most. So what is this verse telling me?
I need to do whatever it takes to make sure that my thoughts, words, actions, and overall lifestyle represent the design and desire of my Daddy for me. As a blessed man I am not a follower of the crowd. I need to be like Jesus and find that sweet spot in which I can spend time with those in need of Daddy’s touch without allowing them to conform me to their image and lifestyle. Somehow Jesus was able to be in the midst of the party crowd and be accepted without partaking in those things that were unpleasing to His Father. His presence in their midst brought conviction without condemnation. I am to do the same.
Holy Spirit, please help me find that sweet spot as I ponder…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 252: Foundations for a Blessed Life (Psalm 1) Part 2 – Verse 1