Whoever decided the final order of the book of Psalms has very deliberately put Psalm 1 first.
It describes two very different people, living two very different ways and therefore offers us to choose which of those two very different ways we want to live.
The first man is blessed. He doesn't walk with the wicked, stand with sinners or sit with mockers (v1). Notice the gradual spiritual slowing - how someone who was walking with the Lord can gradually, bit by bit, slow to a halt, finally sitting along with the mockers who laugh at those who live the Lord's way. Sadly I have friends who used to walk with Jesus, but now sit with the mockers.
Instead, this first man is like a huge oak tree, next to a river, giving life and bearing fruit (v3). Notice he is "planted" - deep-rooted, unmoving, solid. This tree will not move, going into eternal life.
The second man is the very opposite of a solid, rooted tree. He is like chaff (a bit like dust) that blows away in the breeze (v4). Unlike the rooted tree, he will not "stand" on the Day of Judgment, because he chose the way of wickedness, the way of the mocker (v5). For God looks over the way of the righteous, for blessing; whereas he will destroy the one who chooses the way of wickedness (v6).
What is the big essential difference between the two men (apart from their ultimate destiny)? One man loves God's Law, the other mocks it (v2). The first man loves his Bible. He reads it. He meditates on it. He makes time in a busy life to seeks to know God's ways so that he can walk in them.
My dear trees, I pray that 2019 will be a year we all make time in our busy lives to read the Psalms because we love God's Law. To deliberately choose to spend time meditating on them and praying over them. And all because we want to keep on walking his way.
Thanks Mark. We can clearly see that the benefits of digging into God’s Word is nothing short of amazing, compared to the consequences of not making God’s Word our priority. Shalom !!!