5 Psalms For This Summer (Psalm 1)

While summer still has a busy pace to it, it provides more opportunities to be outside which has historically allowed for more space for reflection in my life. I’m always drawn to the Psalms this time of year as throughout them we find metaphors such as green pasture, still waters, trees, etc. So, this summer I’m going to write a series on five Psalms that might be good for you to meditate on and pray through in those times when you can sneak away for a walk on the trail, or stare at a beach sunset.

Each week will include some some observations and thoughts for prayer as well as a challenge (marked in italics). Here we go!

Psalm 1:

1 Blessed is the one 

who does not walk in step with the wicked 

or stand in the way that sinners take 

or sit in the company of mockers, 

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, 

and who meditates on his law day and night. 

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, 

which yields its fruit in season 

and whose leaf does not wither— 

whatever they do prospers. 

4 Not so the wicked! 

They are like chaff 

that the wind blows away. 

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, 

nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 

6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, 

but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Here’s my observations and thoughts for prayer regarding this Psalm:

• It’s a compare and contrast Psalm (comparing the wicked with the righteous). A simple prayer would be to read through the Psalm, asking God to me more like the righteous person.
• I see two specific things the person desiring to be more “righteous” can pray for:
  • A hunger for God’s word. Verse 2 says his “delight” is in “The law of the Lord” and on this he meditates “day and night.” Would you say you”delight” in His word? Ask God to deepen your hunger for His word that you might meditate on it day and night.
  • As a result, God says that person will be “like a tree planted by streams of water” whose “leaf does not wither” and “whatever they do will prosper.” Want to be successful as a Christian? Ask God to make you like that tree planted by His living water – even if you are surrounded by desert, you will still prosper, because your roots will go down deep into Him.

So, my challenge to you in the next couple of weeks is to get near some water (preferably where there are trees next to the water), and pray through this Psalm. Ask God to make you like that tree planted right there that is always strong and green no matter what’s going on around it. Ask God to deepen your roots in Him. Ask Him to help you “delight” in His word and to meditate on it day and night.

This is the person who will prosper.

The other way leads to destruction, but not this way.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Per Ola Wiberg, Wiki Commons.