Psalm 1: Blessed is the Man

Artwork: Maureen Godfrey

This psalm is very similar in content to a reading from Matthew’s gospel, where Jesus is telling his disciples:-

 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 

 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:13-14                                                                   New International Version (NIV)

It also reminds us very much of the ‘Beatitudes’ in Jesus’ first sermon on the mount. (Matthew 5.3-12) 

Why not look this up and read it?

What does this phrase mean:- Blessed are . . .? Some say it is to be truly happy, content and at peace.

God has given us rules, by which we should live our lives, and if we obey them we will be like a tree planted by a stream, forever refreshed and nourished, able to blossom and give of the fruit we bear.

However God has given his people freedom:- the right to choose how they live their lives.

 But some choose wrong paths in life, they go astray and wonder how they have come to be so discontented and down at heart.

 Like chaff they are blown here and there, and their lives are empty and have no substance.  

Try to find out what ‘chaff’ is.

And yet here in the Beatitudes, God’s Son Jesus is preaching forgiveness. All is not lost, lives can be made new again. 

 Look at the New Testament and see if you can find anyone whose life was totally transformed by Jesus  

                                                                                                                                                                                                  33 Blessed is the man : adapted from Psalm 1

Blessed is the man

who does not follow wicked ways.

Blessed is the man

who doesn’t walk the road that sinners take.

And blessed is the man who doesn’t sneer and scoff all day,

but finds his pleasure in the law of the Lord,

and dwells on it day and night.

He is like a tree

that is planted by a stream;

Yielding fruit in season,

abundant fruit in leafy green.

His leaves will never fade,

he’ll succeed in all he does,

as he finds his pleasure in the law of the Lord,

and dwells on it day and night.

(instrumental)

But the wicked are like chaff,

scattering in the breeze.

And when the Judgement comes,

they’ll fall down on their knees.

And so they will not stand,

and sinners won’t find ease,

‘Cos they found no pleasure in the law of the Lord,

nor dwelt on it day or night.

© words and music Sheila Hamil 2010

www.sheilahamil.co.uk

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