“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” (Psalms 1:1-6)

          God’s people must live a godly life. Paul wrote, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” (Titus 2:11-12) Godliness has to do with reverence for God and living a life of holiness in the world. The godly person is committed to obeying God daily. “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (1 Timothy 6:6-7) Psalm one describes this godly life both from a negative and from a positive viewpoint.

THE NEGATIVE VIEW:

          The godly person does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. (Psalm 1:1) The ungodly have no fear of the Lord before their eyes so their counsel will consistently be incorrect. In contrast to the wicked the blessed man will avoid all appearances of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

          The godly person does not stand in the way of sinners. (Psalm 1:1) When you take the road that sinners take you will be hurt by them. The way or road of sinners always leads to misery. "Sinners bear the fruit of unrighteousness and await condemnation, while saints bear the fruit of righteousness and await glorification."

           The godly person does not sit in the seat of the scornful. (Psalm 1:1) The scornful are those that ridicule Christianity and laugh at those who fear the Lord. Proverbs 29:8 says, "Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath."

THE POSITIVE VIEW:
 

          The godly person does delight in God's word as he meditates on it day and night. (Psalm 1:2) We must make God's word our daily delight. Nothing should appeal to us more than learning God's word. As we spend time with God's word we come to know Him better. "I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word." (Psalms 119:16)

          The godly person does live a fruitful life. (Psalm 1:3) God's desire is that we bear fruit. "Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account." (Philippians 4:17) Those that we lead to Christ are our fruit. "Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles." (Romans 1:13) Godly character is also called fruit. (Galatians 5:22-23) Jesus said, "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away." (John 15:2)

          The godly person will stand in Judgment, but the ungodly will perish. (Psalm 1:5-6) The habits of the ungodly are destructive. They lead to damnation. The righteous are promised success. The Psalm says, "His leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (Psalm 1:3) The greatest success of the righteous is salvation on the Day of Judgment.