A Psalm A Day
This is something that I’ve been wanting to do for a while, and finally today, I decided to begin reading a psalm a day. As I do this, one thing I want to watch out for is not to just breeze through each psalm, especially with the longer ones. I’m afraid I might on the particularly busy day (e.g. finals week), and I really don’t want to do that. I want to meditate, to think and drink deeply from each psalm. I know that that may take time, but in light of reading a verse from my psalm for today (Psalm 1:2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night), I see the psalmist’s desire for the Word of God, and I’m convinced that it’s okay if it takes a long time.
So today, by the grace of God I spent some time in Psalm 1 and came across something that was really interesting-
vv. 1-2 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
That first word “blessed” is plural in the Hebrew, as in blessednesses (or whatever the plural would be). It could be read, “O how blessed!” or “O how happy!” I thought that was interesting to know.
This psalm really called me today to live according to God’s Word. It also reminded me of the Gospel, and the imputed righteousness of Christ, and of Christ as the vine (v. 3; John 15:5). If it was not for the Gospel, I would read this psalm and see myself as being one of the ones in the “wicked” camp, who “will not stand in the judgment” (v. 5). But because of the Gospel, I know that my sins are forgiven and punished, that I stand before God counted righteous in Christ, and that I’m empowered by the Spirit of God to live according to the Word of God. Those truths reassured me today to live with all my might in obedience to God, and at the end of the day, to look at my failures and repent as I come to the cross. God is so good, the Christian life is so right and good, and living to please God in light of the Gospel is the only thing that makes sense in this life to do.
Nahrin, I just started reading a psalm a day in the mornings! I read Psalm 4 today. They are food for the soul… so good to be familiar with. I would love to read more of your thoughts on the psalms!
Nicole Kleinhans said this on September 25, 2008 at 9:43 am |