Reflection: Psalm 1

Psalm 1 stands as the gateway to the entire Psalter. It opens the book like a door, inviting us into the full emotional experience of a lifelong journey with God.

As I get older, this first psalm resonates more. It not only creates a longing within me, but also re-centres my resolve. It also helps me see that the Christian walk is more than simply a confession of ‘Jesus is Lord’ or following a series of strict rules, but building a relationship of faith with God.

It isn’t enough to believe the right things, but to live a life aimed at being aligned with Him. This psalm lays this sentiment out very clearly.

The first thing which grabs my attention about this psalm is the movement in the text, from walk, to stand, and then to sit.

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. (Psalm 1 v 1)

In contrast, we should walk towards the Cross, stand in faith, and sit at the feet of our Saviour.

The psalm describes two paths. One that leads to despair, and one that is God’s way. The latter creates a person who is like a constantly yielding fruit tree. The former describes a person as chaff. The discarded parts of the harvest, which is blown away on the wind.

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. (Psalm 1 v 3)

This reminds me of Christ on the Cross. The One who walked the true path, and became the fruit hanging from a tree.

Another profound part of this psalm is found in verse 2.

And who meditates on his law day and night. (Psalm 1 v 2b)

The word ‘his’ either relates to God or the Blessed One, the subject of the psalm. One way to resolve this is to see this psalm primarily speaks about Christ. He is the Blessed One who follows God’s path. He is the One who delights in God’s law. The One who is like a tree planted by streams of water. And as He is God, it is His law.

This emphasises the idea that each psalm points to Christ. We just need to find Him within the text.

Another realisation is how this psalm reflects a return to the Garden of Eden, where the Tree of Life is planted in a place from which four rivers originated. This psalm intimates the end of humanity is either to come back to the tree in the Garden, or fall into chaos and separation.

There is no middle ground.

Life is highly complex, and this psalm describes the two paths we can follow to navigate it. One leads to a loss of identity and destruction, and the other towards Eden.

So, choose Christ and His path, and come back to the garden.

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