The Blessed Man
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season, his leaf also shall not wither: and whatsoever he doth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish."
This is the complete first chapter of Psalms. I call your attention to a few of the outstanding things revealed therein. By doing so we shall come to appreciate who "the blessed man" is. The text begins "Blessed in the man." There is a man who is blessed of God. This man is happy and "whatsoever he doth shall prosper." (verse 3). Surely such a man would be content. Since man seeks happiness and contentment in this life and in the life which is to follow and the text points out that certain things produce these, we hasten to ascertain just what these things are.
"The man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly" Walk is used to suggest way of life ... the way a person lives. To illustrate: (Eph. 4:1) "I , beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called"; (Eph. 5:2) "and walk in love "; (I Thess. 4:1) " as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk ". These and many other passages show that "walk" is many times used to suggest live. Therefore, "Blessed is the man that walketh (lives) not in (according to) the counsel of the ungodly".
Entirely too many people today are living their lives according to the advice and counsel of ungodly men. Many of the professors in the institutions of higher education, and in some high schools, are ungodly people. Yet they are the ones who give counsel as to how we ought to live. It is next to impossible for a Christian to go through one of these atheistic universities or schools and maintain the faith he had when he started. Look, if you will, at the preachers who have completely departed from the faith because of their attending one of these schools. The modernism and materialism found in these schools finds its way into the heart of the Christian during the years and courses required to receive a degree. I am persuaded that most of these Christians do not realize that they have absorbed any of the spirit of their teachers. These people have become the elders, deacons, preachers and teachers in the church. Is it any wonder that modernism and materialism have swept the church away from her moorings the last few years? No wonder these arch enemies of the cause of Christ are found in so-called "Christian colleges" when teachers are required to hold degrees from these infidelic institutions. However, even those coming out of "our" schools are not entirely free from materialism and modernism. I attribute most of the problems of the church in this age to this. There are too many in the church who are walking "in the counsel of the ungodly."
"Ungodly" suggests one who has no respect for God or his Word. They will not have God in their life. They will not regard the authority of God's Word. Therefore, they throw off all restraints in individual and congregational action. They ignore what God has said and do what they desire. To disregard the authority of God's Word is modernism, and following the fleshly or material desires is materialism. This is exactly what has brought on the issue of "Institutionalism" in the church. Actually, the issue is not "Institutionalism", it is "Modernism" and "Materialism", or the result of brethren walking in the counsel of the ungodly. Any time one "walketh in the counsel of the ungodly", he cannot be "blessed" by God. (Mt. 15:9) "But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men." To disregard the authority of God's word and follow the reasoning of man, makes void the worship and service of both the individual and the congregation.
"Nor standeth in the way of sinners". This does not mean to get in front of sinners, so as to keep them out of the church, but rather to occupy the ground that sinners occupy, or to stand where the sinners stand. God will not, yea, cannot, bless the man who stands where sinners stand. "The way of the transgressor is hard." Here is an example: There are brethren today who will readily condemn as sinners those who support out of the church treasury, Human Societies to preach the gospel, yet stand exactly where they stand in that they support out of the church treasury, Human Societies to do the work of benevolence. They stand in the way of sinners.
Many will oppose those who go beyond the word of God and use mechanical instruments of music, yet will endorse and fellowship those who go beyond the word of God and make one church a "sponsoring church" by turning finances and oversight and direction over to that one church for a work to which all are equally related and responsible. They stand in the way of sinners.
Most brethren wouldn't think of having a dinner in the "church dining room" and charging a certain amount for each plate in order to raise money to carry on the work of the church. Yet, they think nothing of social and recreational activities to-attract people to the church services so they can be led to become members of the church and, of course, contribute money to carry on the work of the church. The first is simply a "short-cut" to accomplish the same end as the last, and both are the rankest sort of materialism.
"Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." This suggests that one has reached the place where the "scornful" are found. He is now sitting in the seat of the scornful. He now scorns that which is religious. He scoffs at the idea of a spiritual life. He ridicules those who would be faithful to God.
These three statements picture the progress of sin in the life of an individual or congregation. First, note the term "Walketh". Here is action — doing, but it is action based upon the wrong counsel, or false doctrine. This always leads to one stopping to stand and look upon the way of sinners. Because of the counsel of the ungodly, many have been led to occupy the ground of sinners. When this happens, it is not long until they "sitteth in the seat of the scornful."
Any time an individual or a congregation stands where the sinner stands, they will scoff at the person or congregation who insist on remaining faithful to God's word. They become scornful when approached in an effort to teach them the truth or point out the error of their way. "Walketh", "standeth", "sitteth". Yes, this pictures the progress of sin. Please be reminded that the person who does any of these can not be blessed of God.
But, here is the man who is happy or "blessed". "But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."
The person who "delights" in the law of the Lord will seek and study the word of the Lord. (Jas. 1:25) "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."
This person derives a great pleasure from a study of the Law of the Lord. (2 Tim. 2:15) "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." "In his law doth he meditate day and night." The "Blessed man" does not study God's word occasionally but constantly — "day and night". Note the term "meditate". Too many read the word of the Lord, but never meditate on it. Meditate suggests the idea of "pondering", to think on, to mull over and over in your mind. An apt illustration of meditation is an old cow chewing her "cud". She is assimilating, or getting some good from that which she has already gathered. So, when we meditate, we are assimilating or getting some good from that which we have already "picked up".
To meditate one must concentrate the mind on a matter. The reason many people do not remember what they read from the Bible is that they never concentrate or meditate on that which they read. Here is an example of what I mean: You may glance at your watch and are satisfied, but should I ask you the time of day, in all probability you would have to look at your watch again. Why? You did not concentrate when you looked the first time. This is exactly how many read the Bible. Just glance over the pages enough to be momentarily satisfied but do not meditate enough for it to make an impression on the mind.
The man who will not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful, but whose delight is in the Law of the Lord and in it doth he meditate day and night, shall be ..."like a tree planted by rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his seasons, his leaf also shall not wither.'
The tree planted by rivers of water has the source of life. So is the man of our text. He draws strength and life from the Lord. He enjoys "living water." The tree by waters brings forth fruit in season. There is nothing so useless to the fruit-grower as a tree which does not bring forth fruit. It occupies ground which could be used to support a fruit-bearing tree. Effort expended on the fruitless tree is wasted effort. Common sense would teach us that the fruitless tree should be dug up and cast away; that the ground, water and efforts should be utilized in caring for a tree which brings forth fruit. There are many in the church who could be classified as non-fruit-bearing. We are members of the church in order that "we should bring forth fruit unto God" (Rom. 7:4). Jesus teaches that "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:" (Jno. 15:2). We may well conclude that any person who does not bear fruit unto God is not "blessed" of God. The man who is "blessed" is like a tree that brings forth fruit "his leaf also shall not wither". The tree provides shelter and shade to both animal and fowl. How wonderful it is to find the shade of a tree on a hot summer day! But how disappointing to find a tree with no foliage, its leaves have withered and it provides no comforting shade.
The "Blessed" man of our text is like a tree whose leaf does not wither. What a comfort some people are to us. They shelter us from evil. Their life is as refreshing as the shade of a tree in the desert. Each of us should live so that we lead people from sin and bring happiness and joy to those we meet.
"Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous." This does not mean that the ungodly will not appear in the judgment, because the scriptures teach that all, both saint and sinner will be judged. (Heb. 9:27) "And as it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment." (Acts 17:31) "Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained". Yes, the ungodly will be judged but he will not "stand" approved in the judgment. The sinner does not "stand" approved in the congregation of the righteous. Any time a sinner does stand approved (in full fellowship) in a congregation, you may rest assured that that congregation is not a congregation of the righteous. "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly," (2 Thess. 3:6). "The way of the ungodly' shall perish". Paul teaches in (2 Thess. 1:7-9) that Jesus shall take vengeance on those who "obey not the gospel" and that they shall be banished from the presence and glory of God. But "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (Rev. 22:14)
His commandments are that you Believe (Jno. 8:24); Repent (Acts 17:30); and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38); and the Lord will add you to the church (Acts 2:41, 47) which is Christ's Body (Eph. 1:22-23); And Christ is the Savior of the Body (Eph. 5:23). May I urge you to obey your Lord that you may be a "Blessed" person in this life and in that life which is to follow.