Answer
Psalm 1 appears to offer a decision that each individual must make. Life presents two paths: one is the way of the righteous, leading to blessings, while the other is the “path of sinners,” culminating in destruction. A key to living a blessed life is outlined in the initial verses:
Blessed is the individual
Who does not walk in the advice of the ungodly,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of the scornful;
Instead, their joy is in the teachings of the LORD,
And they reflect on these teachings day and night (Psalm 1:1-2;NKJV).
The blessed individual avoids walking “in the advice of the ungodly.” In the original Hebrew, the term translated as “advice” is a noun denoting “something that offers guidance or counsel regarding a decision or course of action.” The “ungodly” refer to wicked individuals, sinners, and those marked by godlessness.
To refrain from walking in the advice of the ungodly means to reject any counsel from the wicked. This involves steering clear of any influence that could lead one towards godlessness. Walking signifies progress; hence, the verse advises, “Do not walk in the counsel, do not stand in the path, do not sit in the seat” of the ungodly. The progression depicted suggests someone walking alongside sin, then pausing to observe, and eventually settling down in sin’s seat “to indulge in the temporary pleasures” of it «choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; », (Hebrews 11:25).
Avoiding walking, standing, or sitting with the ungodly means evading sin by abstaining from involvement in every aspect of the sinner’s lifestyle. The apostle…Paul warned, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” «Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. », (1 Corinthians 15:33). “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared,” cautions Proverbs 22:24–25.
A Christian cannot expect to make forward progress if he seeks counsel from sinners or makes plans with unbelievers: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” «Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? », (2 Corinthians 6:14).
The person who chooses the righteous way of life avoids thinking like the ungodly, behaving like the wicked, and associating with the godless. Instead, he will “walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm” «He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: But a companion of fools shall be destroyed. », (Proverbs 13:20).
A believer who “walks not in the counsel of the ungodly” will apply biblical truth to his daily life, letting God’s Word be a lamp to guide his feet and a light for his path «Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path. », (Psalm 119:105). His “delight is in the law of the Lord,” and he “meditates on his law day and night,” says Psalm 1:2. Such a person will grow in faith and spiritual maturity «So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. », (Romans 10:17).
God blesses the path of the righteous because they “fear the Lord and delight in obeying His commands” «Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, That delighteth greatly in his commandments. », (Psalm 112:1). Instead of finding joy in sin and worldly things, they “live pure, blameless lives as children of God, shining like stars in a world full of crooked and perverse people” «that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; », (Philippians 2:15, NLT).
Loving God and obeying His Word will lead to abundant blessings (Joshua 1:8; Luke 11:28; John 14:21). By reading the Scriptures daily, studying them, memorizing them, and meditating on them day and night, our mindset changes. We no longer cherish the world or its contents (1 John 2:15-17). We no longer follow the advice of the ungodly. We “do not conform to the pattern of this world,” but God renews our minds, transforming how we think. Then we can discern God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will «And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. », (Romans 12:2, NLT).
Those who heed the advice of the ungodly listen to worldly counsel, conspire with the wicked, and willingly engage in sinful ways. Romans 8:5–7
Describes these individuals as those who “live according to the flesh” and “have their minds set on what the flesh desires.” In contrast, “those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh leads to death, but the mind governed by the Spirit leads to life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.”
God calls His children to choose the path of righteousness—to be set apart, holy. He calls us out of darkness to walk in His light (1 Peter 1:15-16;2:9). That is the way to experience the blessings of life and peace.
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