“Like a tree planted by streams of water”: a devotional on Psalm 1
The book of Psalms begins with a choice. “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, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2). Before the songs of praise and lament, the Psalms set out two ways to live.
Walking, standing, sitting and delight
The first verse describes a gradual slide: walking with the wicked, then standing with sinners, then sitting with mockers. Bad influence often works slowly, from casual contact to settled belonging. The blessed person does not merely obey God’s law but delights in it. Faith is meant to be a joy as well as a duty.
“Meditates on his law day and night.” Meditation in the Bible means turning words over in the mind, often aloud, until they shape the heart.
The tree and the chaff
“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.” The tree does not plant itself. It is planted, and its roots reach water. The tree bears fruit “in season”. Growth takes time, and fruit comes at the right moment, not always when we want it.
“Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.” Chaff is the light husk left after threshing grain. It has no roots and no weight. The psalm ends: “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” God sees and cares about the path we take.
Two ways and a prayer
What we read, watch and listen to shapes us. Psalm 1 invites believers to fill their minds with God’s word rather than the noise around them. Choose a short passage of Scripture this week. Read it each morning and evening, and think about one phrase during the day. The image of two paths appears throughout the Bible, including in Jesus’ teaching about the narrow and wide gates.
Lord, plant me by streams of water. Help me to delight in your word and to meditate on it day and night. Make my life fruitful in its season. Amen.
