Brian Maloy

“The Way of the Righteous and Wicked
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of Yahweh,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not rise in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.”
> Psalm 1:1-6 LSB

This Sunday we began our summer study in our class in Psalms, it doesn’t need to be said, but I will say it — I am really excited. Sadly we won’t cover every Psalm (which would be a blast, but also would take ~3 years), but we will hit some favorites, and some less familiar. That said, we got to start in Psalm 1 this week. In my prep, I read that in many ways, Psalm 1 proves to be the “preface” to the rest of the book of Psalms. Furthermore, it in some aspects almost functions as though it were the “scripture passage” that we begin the book with, and the remainder of Psalms is an exposition of Psalm 1 (I think I read this idea from Charles Spurgeon). Nevertheless, it will be a sincere treat to have a reason to study Psalms more this summer — I’ve progressively loved them more and more over the last decade or so, continually learning to find a home in them, to memorize, to steep in them.

Since I am going to be writing down some of my Sunday School notes over the next three months on Psalms, I thought it fun to share a little of the initial notions regarding Psalms. Thankfully, good ‘ol Spurgeon had some great notes I swiped from his own introductory thoughts on the Psalms. He wrote a great deal on the Psalms, but he mentions in his study of them (which I believe spanned 20 years), what others had called them over time.

• The School of Patience
• The Soul’s Soliloquies
• The Little Bible
• The Anatomy of Devotion
• The Holy Land of Poesy
• The Heart of Scripture
• The Map of Experience
• The Tongue of Saints

Spurgeon even makes note that there have been councils of the church who decreed that none should hold church office unless they knew the whole Psalter by heart. Wow… I mean, I have a few memorized, but clearly have not thrived in that arena — amazing!

Verse 1

I didn’t make it far before I had some questions. So much of verse 1 is just beautiful, rich, and makes sense to me. Where I struggled and questions arose was regarding these to avoid, the “wicked”, the “sinners”, and the “scoffers”. I’ve read this Psalm probably 100+ times, but I’ve always read it at face value assuming those who don’t choose to follow and obey the Father. However, this question arose in my mind: Who are these “wicked” men, at it’s heart, what is the Psalm warning us of?

Wicked Here = Rejecting God & His Word

If we read on in verse 2 we see that He who is truly blessed, delights in the Lord, and in His Word. Which by contrast, we understand these ungodly (evil, sinners, mockers), implies those who reject God, and His Word.

Q: What does that mean, to reject God’s Word?

I like to think (probably wrongly) that most Christians are in theory, good with God’s Word — but they don’t think about the actual implications of truly embracing God’s Word. Allowing the Word of God to actually have authority in their life, to permeate their day to day living. Rejecting God and His word can take many forms, but at its core, it means turning away from His truth, authority, and guidance. Scripture describes rejection as disbelief, disobedience, or outright refusal to heed His instruction.

Throughout the Bible, there are warnings about the consequences of rejecting God’s word. 

• 1 Samuel 15:23 states, “Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.” 
• Jeremiah 6:10 describes those who refuse to listen: “Behold, the word of the Lord has become a reproach to them; they have no delight in it.”
• Jesus also spoke about rejection in John 12:48, saying, “The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” This highlights the seriousness of rejecting God’s truth—not just in the Old Testament but in the message of salvation through Christ.

In the end, rejecting God leads to spiritual separation, confusion, and a life disconnected from His wisdom and grace. But Scripture also reminds us: Isaiah 55:6-7 urges, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” God’s mercy is abundant and gracious. Therefore, we are wise to heed the call in Psalm 1, to continually seek the Word of God, find our home in Him. 

Verse 2

Verse two is such a cool contrast and build on verse one, and the “but” it begins with quickly pivots to the “consider this” moment. This man delights in the law of Yahweh, he delights! When it paints this picture, it begs the question:

What evidence is there that YOU/OR ME delight in the Law of Yahweh, God’s Word?

• Biblical Prayer
• Consistency in steeping oneself in the Bible
• Desire for obedience
• Sanctification/Transformation from old to new
• Joy in the things of the Lord (not obligation)
• Deep understanding in trials
• Scripture spills out in their words
• Viewing their day to day lives in light of the Word

So that thought, of delighting ourselves in the Law of the Lord, then leads to this follower also meditating on the Word. Meditating on it Day & Night, I LOVE this idea. It brings me so much joy, peace — but it also can make us overwhelmed. Further, the word meditate certainly can be misunderstood in our day — it’s been highjacked and misinterpreted.

That said, St. Augustine also highlighted the beauty of meditating on Scripture, noting that true wisdom comes from internalizing God’s Word rather than merely reading it. The Psalms were also central to the Rule of St. Benedict, which structured monastic life around praying and meditating on the Psalms daily. He saw them as a source of spiritual nourishment, shaping the heart and mind of a believer. We will be shaped and formed by something, it would be wise to be shaped by God’s Word.

But, overwhelmed… Reading in Scripture that the expectation is to day and night meditate on God’s Word is amazing. But can fill us with expectations or a sense that “I am not doing it right… because it’s not without ceasing”. That is NOT the implication there, but I have wrongly thought it before.

Spurgeon wrote: “He is not under the law as a curse and condemnation, but he is in it, and he delights to be in it as his rule of life; he delights, moreover, to meditate in it, to read it by day, and think upon it by night. He takes a text and carries it with him all day long; and in the night-watches, when sleep forsakes his eyelids, he museth upon the Word of God.”
AND
“The “happy” person spends his time meditating on God’s Word. Reading reaps the wheat; meditation threshes it, grinds it, and makes it into bread. Reading is like the ox feeding; meditation is it digesting when chewing the cud. It is not only reading that does us good but the soul inwardly feeding on it and digesting it.”

What would this person even look like? (short version below)

• This follower of Jesus is someone whose life is steeped in the Word—so much so that Scripture is not merely a reference point but the very rhythm of their existence. They are not burdened by the law as condemnation but embrace it as a guide, a source of joy, and a wellspring of wisdom. Their heart is tethered to God’s truth, and they carry it with them like a treasured possession, turning it over in their mind throughout the day and even in the quiet hours of the night.
• Their character is marked by humility and devotion—not a fleeting enthusiasm but a deep, abiding love for God’s instruction. They are thoughtful and intentional, not rushing through Scripture but savoring it, letting it shape their thoughts, decisions, and interactions. Their attitude is one of delight rather than duty; they do not approach God’s Word as an obligation but as nourishment for their soul. Like the ox chewing the cud, they return to the same truths again and again, extracting every ounce of wisdom and applying it to their life.
• Their habits reflect this devotion. They are consistent in meditation, not merely reading but internalizing, praying through, and reflecting on Scripture. They are watchful, recognizing that the enemy seeks to distract and deceive, so they anchor themselves in truth. They are steadfast, resisting the pull of worldly counsel and instead walking in the ways of righteousness. Their joy is not found in fleeting pleasures but in the depth of knowing God intimately.
• This is a person whose life radiates the presence of Christ—not because of grand gestures but because of the quiet, daily faithfulness of abiding in Him. They are like the tree planted by streams of water in Psalm 1, flourishing because their roots are deep in the Word.

Short Version:

1. Rooted in the Word – Scripture isn’t just a reference; it’s the rhythm of their life.
2. Humble & Devoted – They delight in God’s truth, not out of duty but deep love.
3. Thoughtful & Intentional – They meditate on Scripture, carrying it throughout the day and night.
4. Watchful & Steadfast – They resist distractions, anchoring themselves in truth.
5. Spiritually Nourished – Like an ox chewing cud, they return to God’s Word, digesting it fully.
6. Consistent & Flourishing – Their faith isn’t fleeting; they’re like the tree planted by streams of water in Psalm 1.

Verse 3 (Tree Metaphor)

I love tree and garden metaphors, and verse 3 is one of the best. I sadly didn’t get to research this one as much as I’d have loved, but nevertheless, I had some brief thoughts I jotted down, digging a little into each part of the verse. There is a lot of meaning packed in — no doubt this could be expanded on greatly.

Tree Metaphor

• Firmly Planted – The believer is not wandering but rooted in God’s truth, drawing constant nourishment from His Word.
• Streams of Water – Just as a tree thrives near water, the believer flourishes when immersed in Scripture and communion with God.
• Fruit in Season – Growth is purposeful and timely; the believer bears fruit according to God’s perfect timing, not rushed or forced.
• Unwithering Leaves – Unlike worldly success that fades, the believer’s spiritual vitality remains strong, enduring trials without losing faith.
• Prospering in All Things – This isn’t just material success—it’s spiritual flourishing, a life aligned with God’s will and purpose.

This metaphor is very connected to John 15 (a big Brian favorite), where Jesus speaks of abiding in Him to bear fruit. It’s also echoed in Jeremiah 17:7-8, reinforcing the idea that a life rooted in God is steadfast, nourished, and abundantly fruitful.

Verse 4 (the Chaff)

We have to consider chaff’s place in the end of things –>

It’s an abrupt contrast — considering we see a portrait of peaceful growth in the Lord, now at Harvest time, we see the chaff proving entirely worthless.

It’s really a constant of lasting value vs. fleeting worth. In the end, what do we really want? It’s easy in the moment to save a few bucks, go cheap, or buy the knock-off (and sometimes that’s a wise move), but often, we know it’s NOT going to last long term, it will eventually leave us wanting.

Verse 6

Verse six begs the question, if we know what the path of righteousness is, delighting ourselves in, and meditating on the Word — we must ask: what actually stands in your way of steeping yourself in the Word of God?

Truly, it’s just between you and the Lord — you can be honest. What holds you back?

I am SURE there are many more, but generally speaking, here are a few:

1. Worldly Distractions – The busyness of life, entertainment, and responsibilities can pull attention away from Scripture.
2. Lack of Discipline – Without intentional habits, reading and meditating on God’s Word can become sporadic.
3. Spiritual Warfare – The enemy seeks to discourage believers and create doubt, making it harder to stay rooted in truth.
4. Sin & Unrepentance – Unaddressed sin can create distance between a believer and God’s Word, leading to avoidance.
5. Fear & Doubt – Struggles with faith or uncertainty about God’s promises can make Scripture feel distant or difficult to grasp.
6. Lack of Community & Accountability – Without encouragement from fellow believers, it’s easy to drift away from consistent study.
7. Misplaced Priorities – When other pursuits take precedence, time in the Word can become secondary.

While there are general things like those above, there are a thousand more specific ones that we each individually struggle with, it’s normal, but probably very personal. We must seek the Lord, and we MUST open His Word regularly to continually learn His character, and understand the working of the Spirit in our lives, so we can discern how we struggle — where the gaps and opportunities for derailment are most likely for us. 

Given all that we are so blessed it’s not even funny… we have every advantage to saturate our day to day life in the Bible.

Suggestions:

• Daily Bible, easy to follow organization 
• Audio Bibles are wonderful
  • Buy one and save it on your phone!
  • Dwell Bible App (annual subscription, but worth it)
  • YouVersion (free, but maybe on wifi)
• Reading Plan (start small if needed, like the Psalms for summer)
• A Scripture Journal (to write in, but focus on ONE book at a time and really lean into it, less overwhelming)
• Lectio365 App
• 30 Days in… Prayer CSB Series (my Kids know these well)
• Handbook for Praying Scripture
• SO much Scripture is put to Music now!
  • I made a playlist yesterday while I was prepping with all the Psalm 1 songs I like.
• Spurgeon on the Psalms (NKJV Bound)
• ANYTHING — make a plan. Keep it simple.

I don’t know if this will work — but if you have Apple Music, I think you can click and add this to your library. Hopefully if you do not have Apple Music, you can at least SEE the list, and make your own list on whatever source you use. I am debating on adding more and more Psalm songs to this playlist over the summer, as we study them in Sunday School (happy to share with you in your interested).

My PSALM Playlist –> https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/pl.u-ZrxrCmR10l

Wrap Up

Psalm 1 lays the foundation—a call to delight in God’s Word, meditate on it, and be rooted in His truth. It reminds us that where we place our focus shapes our lives.

As we journey through the Psalms this summer, let’s embrace Scripture fully—not just reading but letting it shape our hearts. Whether through study, music, or reflection, may we stand firm like a tree by streams of water, flourishing in His presence.