The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked (Psalm 23)

1 Blessed is the man (representative example of a godly person)

whoa walks not in b the counsel of the wicked (ungodly), 

Provernor stands in c the way of sinners,  

nor d sits in the seat of  f scoffers; 

💡Who reject the advice of the wicked. Psalm 1 is didactic, meaning that it is intended to teach. This is also a psalm of comparisons, encouraging devotion to ADONAI who blesses the righteous and destroys the wicked. *The complete Jewish Study Bible

💡1:1- Not a once for all time, event, but rather a lifetime of choosing to follow God and His commandments. *The Amplified Study Bible

💡1:1- The psalmist begins by describing the joy of someone who obeys God and does not listen to those who discredit or mock Him. Friends and coworkers can have a powerful influence on us, often in very subtle ways. If we remain friends with people who mock what God considers important, we can be led into sin and become indifferent to God’s will. And that is the same as mocking. Do your friends help build your faith or tear it down? True friends should help you grow closer to God. *Life Application Bible

💡 God does not judge people by their race, gender, or natural origin (unlike the World or society). He judges them by their faith in Him and their response to His revealed Will. People who diligently try to obey God are like healthy fruit-bearing trees with strong roots (Jeremiah 17:5-8), and God promises to watch over them. God’s wisdom leads to their lives. However, people who do not obey God have a meaningless life that will blow away like dust. Life Application Bible*

Righteous (man) in Hebrew poetry or literature represents those who love and desire to please God. *The Amplified Study Bible

 2  but his g delight is in the law (instruction) of the Lord, 

and on His h law (instruction), he meditates day and night. 

He meditates day and night on the instructions of the Lord – Cartoons supplied by Martin Young – biblecartoons.co.uk

💡Delight or Meditate – focusing the mind on Scripture or the attributes and actions of God. *The Amplified Study Bible

💡1:2- Following God – Reading and thinking about God’s Word, and wondering how you should live according to His Will. If you want to stay close to God, you must know what He says; Knowledge and Study of God’s Word are key conditions to apply daily. The Word says: ” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” *Life Application Bible

 3  He is like i a tree 

planted by streams of water 

that yields its fruit in its season, 

and its k leaf does not wither. 

In all that he does, he prospers. 

💡Prosper – This text is NOT about a guarantee of future financial worth for the righteous; but rather the righteous is always useful and productive to the Lord *The Amplified Study Bible

💡You are not immune to failure or difficulty. It is not a guarantee of health, wealth, and happiness. Success/ Prosperity in this sense means that when God’s Wisdom is applied in our lives, the fruit we bear will be good and will meet with God’s approval. Just as a tree absorbs water and produces delicious fruit, we must absorb God’s Word into our hearts, honoring God with our actions and behavior. So, to truly do good, we must keep God’s Word in our hearts! *Life Application Bible

 4  The wicked are not so 

but are like m chaff that the wind drives away. 

💡1:4– Chaff is the covering that must be removed to get to the valuable core of the grain. The chaff was removed by threshing and sifting. After the grain was cut, it was crushed and thrown into the air. Chaff is very light and blown away by the slightest breath of wind, while the wheat grains fall back down. Chaff is the symbol of an unbelieving life, which goes on aimlessly and without direction. The good grain is a symbol of a faithful life, which is used by God. *Life Application Bible

 5  Therefore the wicked n will not stand in judgment, 

nor o sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 

 6  for the Lord  p  knows the way of q the righteous, 

but the way of the wicked will perish

💡 1:6 – “Knowing” in this context does not refer merely to God’s awareness, but to an intimate, personal knowledge (read Psalm 101:4). God is intimately involved in the way of the righteous, but has no connection with the way of the unrighteous, except in judgment (read Psalm 146:9). *The Amplified Study Bible.