Psalm 1

A. Actions of the BAD guy [1]

       B. Actions of the GOOD guy [2]

       b' Character of the GOOD guy [3]

a' Character of the BAD guy [4]

C. Destiny of the BAD guy [5]

       D. Destiny of the GOOD guy [implied]

       d' Reason for the GOOD guy's destiny [6a]

c' Reason for the BAD guy's destiny [6b]

1  Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

 Nor stands in the path of sinners,    Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD,   And in His law he meditates day and night.

3  He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water,    That brings forth its fruit in its season,   Whose leaf also shall not wither;   And whatever he does shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so,  But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

5  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6  For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

A. Actions of the BAD guy [1]

WICKED/UNGODLY Ps 50:16 = those who are part of the covenant community but who ignore the law of God, giving lipservice rather than _______________. Ps 50:16 to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips?

Malachi 3:18 = those who don't _______________ God by giving their best. (see: Lord of the Leftovers)

Matt 25:26 = the lazy unprofitable servant who loses his ______________.

I Cor 5:13 = the believing "brother" under church discipline.

Ps 37:21 = takers rather than givers: The wicked borrows, and pays not again: but the righteous show mercy, and give.

Ps 10:4  = miss QT: The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

Ps 10:13  = don’t believe in rewards: Why do the wicked renounce God, and say in their hearts, "You will not call us to account"?

Pr 24:16 = Spiritual quitter: For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall by calamity

SINNERS Ps 25:8 = those who miss or stray from the ____________ of God. (Independence = essence of sin; Declaration of Dependence)

Num 32:13 = the redeemed who failed to obey and receive promised land.

Amos 9:10 = those among God's people who doubt His future _____________.

Jas 4:8  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded.

MOCKERS Prov = those who are proud-21:4, refusing instruction-9:8, and rebuke-13:1, and are headed for punishment-19:29

Pr 9:7 corrects a scoffer wins abuse…rebukes the wicked gets hurt.15:12  Scoffers don’t like to be rebuked; they will not go to the wise.

B. Actions of the GOOD guy [2] (cf Rom 12:1-2)

Prerequisite = DELIGHT - We delight in what we value; we value what we perceive or experience as of benefit to us; something is of benefit if it meets our need for power (security/significance), pleasure, or possessions.

 P______________ = MEDITATES -crucial for survival & success. Josh 1:8 Ps 119:97  how love I thy law! It’s my meditation all day.

 ÞStudy the implications for applications = Think, Feel/Value/Do   QT=Read...Reflect...Record...Respond (Worship)

 Visualization..Affirmation/Internalization..Inspiration/Motivation/Automation..Decision/Activation (see TOYL overview)

b' Character of the GOOD guy [3]

 P______________ = BEARS FRUIT - result of obedient meditation. Jer

17:5-10

 In season -there is an appropriate time for rooting and a time for fruiting

 In spite of drought -circumstances are not an accurate indicator of reality, nor an excuse for unfruitfulness

 In everything -compartmentalization is an abomination

a' Character of the BAD guy [4]

  Not show any fruit, blown away John 15:

C. Destiny of the BAD guy [5]              

Not STAND in the JUDGMENT        Nor in the ASSEMBLY of the RIGHTEOUS

Pr 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

D. Destiny of the GOOD guy [implied] 

      [Does stand in the Judgment and Assembly]

d' Reason for the GOOD guy's destiny [6a]

            Lord watches over WAY of RIGHTEOUS

c' Reason for the BAD guy's destiny [6b]

      WAY of the WICKED will perish

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why are the “wicked-ungodly” always the other guys? Does God hear the prayer of the “wicked”?

2. Name ten things in which people delight (or value), then determine the appeal. Is value relative?

3. How can we be aware of whether we're walking according to the wrong "counsel" or values?

4. What can help/hinder you in developing a greater desire for God's law? What are some benefits of absorbing the Word into your life?

5. What can you do to hasten the process of God tending you, via His Word, toward fruitfulness? (Four R’s)