I’m so excited to begin a “verse by verse” walk through the book of Psalms!  On this journey, my intentions will be to take one verse at time and comment on how it inspires or saddens me.  Hopefully, even the verses that sadden, will ultimately lead to the promise of God’s Grace; however, this is not promised.  (Gotta keep it real)

I’ll attempt to tackle at least two verses a week and then post my reflections on Tuesdays or Wednesdays and sometimes both days.  So please check back every Tuesday and Wednesday and walk with me on this journey.

Psalms 1:1

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, not sitteth in the seat of the scournful.”  (KJV)

How fitting for the “prayer-and-praise ” books of Israel (Psalms), to open with the promise of a blessing.  We all want to be blessed.  I remember as a little girl singing the song “Count Your Blessings,” with my Mom, in church, and even now, I catch myself humming or singing its lyrics.  It goes something like this:

Count Your Blessings

 When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Hearing my mom sing, always gave me a sense of peace…a feeling that no matter what, when it’s all said and done, everything would be okay.  My mom was powerful like that…and truth be told she still is…even from the realms of glory.

Life is not always pleasant and for sure we will reap what we sow.  Every decision we make results in consequences, good or bad.  You’ve heard the analogy of tossing a pebble in the pond…about the ripples that follow?  Well this is exactly how I interpret Pslams 1:1.  Our life is the pond, what we do is the rock and the ripples equal the results we are forced to endure.  This concept is inescapable because eventually we will all have to answer for our deeds.

The promise given here in verse one is contingent upon us refraining from:

• Following bad advice
• Living like unbelievers
• Making fun of others who don’t believe as we do

Is it just me or does anyone else recognize the parallels of Psalms 1:1 and the commandments given by Jesus in the gospel of Mark…

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second most important command is this: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ These two commands are the most important.”  (Mark 12:30-31)  

If we busy ourselves loving God and others, we will have little time to sin and to sit in judgement of our brothers and sisters.

My Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the promises of your blessings.  I know, if I love you with all my heart, mind and soul, I will be less likely to make bad decisions, but if I do happen to sin and make mistakes you are faithful and just to forgive me and to somehow take “my bad” and turn it into something beautiful.  Help me to love you more each day and help me to treat others as I would like to be treated.  Amen.