How to be Blessed

Psalm 1:1-6
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

The Dichotomy: Blessed or Wicked

Psalm 1 presents a stark dichotomy: the blessed and the wicked. There is no neutral ground—only these two categories of humanity. We recognize wickedness; we see it in the world and even within ourselves before salvation. The wicked, sinners, and scoffers all belong to the same group. But the exact opposite—the antonym of wicked—is blessed.

This may seem strange if you do not sense your own blessedness. We look at others' material privileges or seemingly smooth lives and question our own blessing amid suffering. Yet God declares there are only the blessed and the wicked. If you have God, if Christ died for you, if you have received His grace, you are blessed. Grace upon grace flows from Him—a steady stream that never ends.

What Does It Mean to Be Blessed?

Blessedness refers to the grace and favor God bestows, placing you in a position of privilege. This can include material gifts—everything good comes from Him—so thank God for all things, even toothpaste. The same word for grace in Greek means thanks, because grace compels gratitude.

Blessedness is also like Job, not merely enduring suffering, but having God speak well of you: "Have you considered my servant Job? There is none like him." To have God praise you is the ultimate goal. Blessedness carries joy and happiness—not in lesser things, but in God Himself. Holiness brings profound joy. Jesus offers His own complete joy (John 15). Do you want divine joy? That is blessedness.

The Progression of Sin to Avoid

How blessed is the man who avoids the progression of sin in verse 1:

1. Do Not Walk in the Counsel of the Wicked

The first stage begins inwardly: planning sin. It is not mere bad advice, but devising possibilities of evil—inventing sin if needed. Sin starts in thoughts and desires; no sin occurs without willful planning. Every temptation must be met with "no"—not in your strength, but Christ's. Take every thought captive with hostility, not hospitality. Obeying Christ here prevents the later stages.

2. Do Not Stand in the Way of Sinners

If you walk into counsel, do not stand—do not act on the plan. Stop, confess, and return to God. "Stand" means either allowing or forcing yourself to remain in sin. Either is terrible. Avoid this stage entirely.

3. Do Not Sit in the Seat of Scoffers

The final stage: completing sin and boasting about it, while mocking others. Scoffers bash the righteous and celebrate their sin. Christians receive scoffing but never initiate it. This progression—walking, standing, sitting—leads to completeness in evil, unlike Christ's finished work at God's right hand.

The Positive Path: Delight in God's Law

Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord, on which he meditates day and night. This replaces sinful thoughts with something far more satisfying. The law exposes sin and reveals God's holiness, making sin seem small.

Do not merely read a verse and check it off. Delight means joy, desire, precious treasures, business, and will. Obsess over it day and night—preach the gospel to yourself daily. Prepare your heart to enjoy God speaking. Mine its treasures. Align your plans, will, and sanctification with it. Loving God and others summarizes the law for New Testament believers.

This delight overflows: it aids friendships, relationships, ministry, work—every area. Holiness makes you more effective, sustained by the joy of the Lord's Word. God's will is your sanctification; find direction there.

The Fruit of Blessedness

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.

This tree is rooted, enduring storms, heat, and drought. It bears fruit, its leaf stays green, and it prospers—not materially, but sailing unhindered through life like a ship on course. When spiritually supplied, all else is secondary.

The wicked are like chaff driven away; they will not stand in judgment. But the Lord knows the way of the righteous. God has given the path to blessedness—live it.