How to Be Blessed

Psalm 1:1-5 – 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 doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

The first Psalm begins with how a man can be blessed. Immediate attention is given to those characteristics:

1. A blessed man does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. The ungodly may say if someone hits you, hit them back twice as hard. However, the Word of God calls us to love, forgive, and show mercy. A blessed man must be cautious of the sources they receive counsel. A blessed man must allow the scriptures and godly counsel to direct and guide them.

A person in a high position does not make them an authority to speak into your life. The contents of their character and heart does.

2. A blessed man does not stand in the way of sinners. The word for stand is not only defined as standing among a group of people in a specific location, but also a stance in attitude or behavior. The blessed man’s attitude and position (location) are separated from that of sinners. When a person will not remove themselves from the way of sinners, they are in danger of being influenced by their behavior (i.e. 1 Corinthians 15:33).

3. A blessed man does not sit in the seat of the scornful. This too is not only by location, but an action, attitude, and behavior. Blessed men will not mock people, look down upon them, or talk harshly to them.

With each of the three areas above, the counsel, way, and seats can be found through friends, co-workers, and even entertainment sources. Separating from certain people may not be enough. Movies, television, and radio can fill our lives with the things that keep us from being blessed as described above. There has to be a complete separation from all things that bring us into the life and character of the ungodly, sinner, and scornful.

4. A blessed man delights in the law of the Lord. The blessed man is happy about the Word of God. The law of the Lord brings him great comfort and joy. Think of a time when there was something you liked doing. You thought of it often, couldn’t wait to do it, and would do it for as long as you could – that is what it feels like to delight in something and what should be applied to your feelings about the Word of God.

5. A blessed man meditates on the law of God day AND night. Now notice that the psalm says day AND night. This reference is not a haphazard look at the scriptures a couple of times on Sunday mornings and Wednesday Bible Studies. This is an all-day and all-night affair.

How can you do this?

You can do this by choosing to decrease the time you spend doing other things throughout the day and/or including scripture reading or listening in your daily routine. Such examples can be while driving to/from work, cleaning your house, or even exercising. This type of meditation is an intentional focus because you delight in the law of God.

In reading the remainder of the psalm, we find what will happen to those that live a blessed life and those that do not. Living a blessed life begins with the law of God (Psalm 119:9-16). Cleanse your way with the Word of God, delight yourself in it, and hide it in your heart. You and those in your company will be glad you did.

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