Psalm 1

Psalm 1 (NRSV)

1 Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord ,
and on his law they meditate day and night.

Dear Lord,
I admit that it is counter-intuitive to think that we find happiness by taking delight “in the law of the Lord” and by meditating “day and night”. It seems rather dreary and more than a little boring. Worse – I remember the laws of Leviticus and Deuteronomy and I don’t see much happiness there.

So, what is this poet talking about? Better yet, what might you be talking about? Jesus’ great summary of the law comes to mind, the two great commandments. Love God with every part of yourself and love your neighbor as you love yourself. Could it be that happiness is found in love, in our loving relationship with You and in the love that we share with our neighbors? Could it be that our deepest and most enduring happiness is found in worship, in the love and adoration that we give to you and in the love from you that we experience deep within our souls? Could it be that as we consider the depths and heights and widths of your love that a serene and powerful happiness grows within? Could it be that I discover happiness as I both give and receive love? Could it be that as I remember the love that has been shared with parents and children and neighbors and most especially with sisters and brothers in Christ, happiness grows? Could it be that as I give myself away in loving service that I just may be surprised by the force of love that swells up from within? Is it possible that the way of love leads to eternal happiness? Yes. Yes. Yes!

As I reflect on the great love that you give us in Christ, happiness happens.

The wicked are those who tramp on the mandates of love. Sinners are those who neglect your great love for us. The scoffers just make fun of it all. Lord, save me from their influence.

Amen.


3 They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
[1]

[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.