Psalm 1

Psalm 1

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
They will be condemned at the time of judgement. Sinners have no place among the godly.
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

This chapter of Psalms is only six short verses but it says so much. This is not a soothing poem of protection or a ballad of the virtue of love. This is about good and evil, reward and punishment. Lines are drawn.

When I read passages like this my hyper analytical thinking kicks in. I'd like to think that I am on the good side of these warnings and not the bad, but what if by God's definition, I fall into the category being wicked?
In these moments of reflection, I like to get the dictionary out and look at the definitions in question.

Here is what I found:

Wicked-Evil by nature and in practise
Sinner-One that sins or does wrong
Mocker-One who treats with ridicule or contempt;deride

Joys-Intense and especially ecstatic or exhultant happiness; To take great pleasure; rejoice
Delight-Great pleasure;joy;Something that gives great pleasure or enjoyment

The truth is that we all born with a wicked, sinful nature. Only by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and by submitting our life to Him can we become righteous. Are we the godly or the wicked? The answer to that is written in these verses as it describes the attributes of both.

I know these words have pierced my own heart and made me ponder my not-so-long-past behaviour. How hungry am I for God and what is the smell of my attitude-stinky or fragrant?