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Psalm 1

• As you have observed people, what are the things they do to try to find happiness? Why do so many people fail in their search?
• When are you the happiest?

All of us want to be happy. We sometimes believe that if only we could win the lottery, get a new job, make the right friend, afford the right things, or be recognized by the right people, we would be happy. Happiness is often attached to happenings. If the right things happen, we can be happy. The Bible tells us that happiness is more related to internal characteristics than external happenings. Let’s see what Psalm 1 can teach us about finding happiness.

{1} Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

The first word of this psalm is the word "blessed." Probably the best meaning we could give this word is "happy."

• This Psalm tells us there are basically two types of persons in the world. Can you find the verses in which he talks of one type and then shifts to the other?
• What is the first characteristic of the blessed (happy) person?

The first characteristic describes what he does not do:

—walk in the counsel of the wicked
—stand in the way of sinners
—sit in the seat of mockers

• It is interesting that the writer states the characteristics of the happy person in terms of walking, standing, and sitting. What might be the significance of these three activities?  It could speak of progression—one leads to the next. Walking could speak of conduct; standing could speak of character; and sitting could speak of attitude.
• The writer speaks of "counsel," "way," and "seat." What do these three things suggest?
• Who would you understand the wicked, sinners, and mockers to be?
• Why would participation in the activities mentioned have the potential of destroying a person’s happiness?

{2} But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

The second characteristic is a positive one—he delights in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.

• What would you understand "the law of the Lord" to be?

• What does it mean to meditate on something?

{3} He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

• What does God say is the result in the life of the person who stays away from sin and follows God’s way?
• What does it mean to be a tree planted by streams of water?
• What does it mean to yield fruit in season?
• What does it mean to be a tree whose leaves do not wither?
• What does it mean to prosper?

The psalm now changes to look at the other type of person. This person is referred to as "the wicked."

{4} Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

• What does God say is the characteristic of the person who is wicked?
• What is chaff?
• What happens to the wicked?

{5} Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

Verse 5 indicates that there will be a time of judgment. There are always consequences for our actions. At some point, all of us will have to face up to what we have done in our lives. Ultimately we will not pass judgment on ourselves, but we will answer to God. This verse tells us that the wicked—sinners—will not be able to stand the judgment of God that is based on the standard of righteousness.

• What do you understand righteousness to be?
• How does a person become righteous?

{6} For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

The final verse describes God’s action toward the two types of persons.

• What is the promise about the righteous?
• What is the word about the wicked?
• How would you characterize the differences between the two types of persons?
• What do the results of the two ways of living have to do with happiness?

Let me summarize what this psalm is telling us.

1. There are two types of people in the world: righteous and wicked.
1. Righteous people find great satisfaction in loving God and following His ways. They escape a lot of problems by following God rather then the advice of those who mock God and do their own thing.
2. Righteous people find stability and fruitfulness in their lives.
3. God watches over them, guides them, blesses them and gives them eternal life.
4. Wicked people create their own misery with their attitudes and actions. They will also face the judgment of God for their wrongdoing.

Bible study is only meaningful when we are able to apply it to our lives. This is fairly easy to do when you study the Psalms because they speak so directly to personal emotions and situations. This psalm has told us that happiness is found in knowing God and living righteously. Is your search for happiness including God? Has anyone ever helped you understand that you can get to know Him and have a personal relationship with Him? Our journey through the Psalms will help you discover more about yourself, about the meaning of life, and about God.

We want to close each one of our studies with prayer. Prayer is simply talking to God. It is a time to be grateful for each other, for what we are enjoying in life, and for the kind of people we will continue to become with God’s help. It is a time to tell Him what we are feeling and experiencing for which we need His help or guidance. So if you are facing something you would like for me to talk to God about in your behalf, you will have a chance to share that at the end of each study. Is there anything you want to have included in this closing prayer?

(Pray a short, simple prayer.)

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