Psalm 1
challenges us to muster the courage to read Scripture and ponder it deeply out
of an attitude of delight. The end of this mode of life is the happy life.
Let’s listen to
verses 3–4:
3
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. 4 Not
so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
Models a Constant Attentiveness to
Scripture
Psalm one does
not merely advocate that the blessed person will meditate on Scripture
constantly. The Psalm itself models this by actually using the words of
Scripture to make its point. We already pointed out that verse 2 echoes God’s
words to Joshua in Joshua 1.
Verse 3 draws
from multiple texts as well. Virtually every word is drawn from another OT
text: Jer 17:5-8; Ezekiel 47:12, and Genesis 39:3 and 23. Like Jeremiah 17, the
psalmist describes the blessed person as one planted by streams of water. Like
Ezekiel 47:12, there is always fruit and the leaves do not whither. Like Joseph
in Genesis 39, there is always success. We’ll say more about these in a moment,
but the key is to recognize the need for the words of Scripture to permeate and
shape us for our journey of faith. There will be good times as well as times of
hardship. The Psalter itself with its mix of lament, praise, and thanksgiving
demonstrates this. Scripture is our guide to navigating the waters of life
successfully as the people whom God calls us to be.
New Matrix for Success
Ps 1 redefines success
in terms of being near to God and implementing the divine
will. Success does not equate with material
possessions or wealth necessarily. Success does not mean an absence of
suffering for the righteous. When read in light of the texts from which it was
constructed, the tree imagery of Ps 1:3 becomes a potent call to choose the way
of life. Clinton McCann aptly writes, “The point of the simile is not that the righteous will
not suffer, but rather that the righteous will always have in God a reliable
resource to face and endure life’s worst” (“‘The Way of the Righteous’ in the
Psalms”, 137).
God’s people succeed
because they are rooted in Scripture. The text from Ezekiel links the waters
with the waters of life flowing from the Temple. In other words, Scripture is a
pipeline and conduit to God. The promise of success is success in accomplishing God’s will for the moment. Verse 2 alludes
to Joshua; verse 3 alludes to Joseph. God gave each success in different
circumstances. Joshua succeeded explicitly in life; Joseph succeeded and
prospered from the bottom up. Genesis 39 speaks of God prospering him as a
slave in Potiphar’s house and as a prisoner in Egypt. It is important for us to
recognize this new matrix for success. It is living faithfully in the present
moment to advance the will of God.
How Deep are Your Roots
Verses 3 and 4
challenge us with a contrasting view of life. Will we be the successful tree or
simply be blown about as chaff in the wind?
The key is our
root system. How deep are your roots? If our roots are strong, we can be
battered by storms. We can lose all of our leaves in winter. We can experience
broken limbs. But at the end of the day, we will continue to grow and prosper
as long as our roots are near the streams of life giving water. This life
giving water is available to us today in the Scriptures.
As we seek to
follow Jesus faithfully into the world today, will you find the courage to take
up the Scriptures and allow their words to shape your life and guide you to
true success in accomplishing God’s work and mission in the world?
Let’s pray:
Our Loving God,
Make us as
strong as oaks by empowering in us the courage to read your Word. Allow your
life giving words to flow into us so that we may allow your love and justice to
flow back into the world as we seek to serve as your hands, your feet and your
mouthpieces in the world today.
In Jesus’ name:
Amen
© 2014 Brian D. Russell
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