The Phil Files

I have a message from God in my heart
      concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
   There is no fear of God
      before their eyes.

   In their own eyes they flatter themselves
      too much to detect or hate their sin.
   The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful;
      they have ceased to be wise and to do good.
   Even on their beds they plot evil;
      they commit themselves to a sinful course
      and do not reject what is wrong.

   Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens,
      your faithfulness to the skies.
   Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
      your justice like the great deep.
      You, LORD, preserve both people and animals.
   How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
   People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
   They feast on the abundance of your house;
      you give them drink from your river of delights.
   For with you is the fountain of life;
      in your light we see light.

   Continue your love to those who know you,
      your righteousness to the upright in heart.
   May the foot of the proud not come against me,
      nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
   See how the evildoers lie fallen —
      thrown down, not able to rise!

\o/ — Comments Psalm 35: Continue your love to those who know you! — \o/

We could call this psalm the collision of two ways.

One way, the first way emphasized, is the way of the wicked. They continually do evil and plot to do more. Their way is wicked, vile, and arrogant. It is everything that God is not and love everything that God detests. The psalmist recognizes the truth about those who are wicked!

The other way, the way emphasized second, is the way of the LORD. Notice how God’s way is described: love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice. Those who are the LORD’s people are blessed by these qualities of God and find delight in His presence — the light of God.

So what am I to make of this? How does this psalm intersect my life? I join the psalmist plea for God to be God. I also pledge to align my heart and my life with His character. Rather than being deceived by the temporary “success” of those who are evil, I remember the long faithfulness of God. Rather than being “co-opted” by the evil and deceptive shortcut ways of those who are false, I choose to trust that God will act in behalf of His people. I trust to see the defeat of the wicked even before the first steps of their defeat are visible, for I know that the LORD, and those who honor Him, will ultimately triumph.

Blessed are those     who do not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take     or sit in the company of mockers, but who delight in the law of the LORD     and meditate on his law day and night. They are like a tree planted by streams of water,     which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither –     whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked!     They are like chaff     that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,     nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,     but the way of the wicked will be destroyed.

\o/ — Comments Psalm 1: Like a tree planted by streams of water! — \o/

So we begin! Psalm 1 is one of two introductory Psalms for the whole collection. This introductory Psalm is focused on our commitment to seek God’s will in His truth. There we will find his blessing and our happiness.

As we read and meditate upon Psalm 1, we are called to recognize our constant thirst for the presence of God and how this presence not only nourishes us, but brings refreshment to others. Our seeking of God’s way opens our hearts to see His watch-care over us.

This Psalm challenges me to follow the path Jesus’ beattitude: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6).

Do I hunger for God, His righteousness, and His presence? Do I recognize my thirst for God’s truth, character, will, and holiness?

These questions not only convict me, but they also pull me back to the Messiah, who promised: Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them (John 7:37-38).

O God, draw me to Your truth. Fill my heart and my head with your Word. Refresh my soul with your presence. Challenge my values and take control of my ethics with Your will. Please use me to bless and refresh others. In the name of the one Who is the Living Word. Amen.

Now what is your response to Psalm 1?