Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers: ASV

Psa 1:1  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. KJV

Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of scorners. LITV

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                COMMENTARY

One Major theme of the Psalms is the Righteous and the wicked contrasted...

This first Psalm sets the pattern of the book by a vivid contrast of the wicked with the righteous and shows that they are two different creatures. One is either wicked or he is righteous but he cannot be both at the same time otherwise this and a great many other Psalms as well as other passages of Scripture make no sense at all. Those who limit Christians to "Positional" Righteousness must mangle the language & wax inconsistent by saying that the wicked are wicked "subjectively" in both their Character & Conduct while the Righteous are only Righteous "Positionally" and are still subjectively wicked in both Character & Conduct. And in fact that's exactly what many say. Such false doctrine makes no difference between the wicked and the righteous other than the notion that Christians are now "Positionally" righteous... "in the eyes of God". But as for their Character and Conduct they are no different than the unsaved wicked. Such a false view cannot survive a proper study of the doctrines of Regeneration and Sanctification.

Counsel of the ungodly Includes false doctrine, for doctrine is, by definition, Counsel! And the evangelical community is overrun with false doctrine and false gospels. This requires a true Christian to be on his guard Intensely, every moment; for there are many who attempt to approach us and peddle their false wares. To succumb is to relinquish the blessing of GOD and who in his right mind would want that?

Further do not let outward circumstances fool you into thinking you are under God's blessing...; "Our church is growing by leaps & bounds... see how God is blessing us"! Well... Robert Schuller could very easily make that claim but he's a false prophet under the wrath of God, not His blessing!   Or... "Look how many hits our web site is getting... and they all agree with us!". So what. That does not constitute the blessing of GOD. Read the rest of the Psalm to discover where God's blessing is found.

Conversely when outward providential circumstances seem bleak that's no indication that one is not under the blessing of God. Read Hebrews 11. God does not promise Christians a life of ease you know.

Thus says Jehovah; 2Ti 3:12  And, indeed, all desiring to live -godly-  in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
1Pe 3:17  For it is better, if the will of God wills it, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1Pe 4:19  So as indeed the ones suffering according to God’s will, as to a faithful Creator, let them commit their souls in well-doing.
Re 2:10  Do not at all fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the Devil is about to throw you into prison, so that you may be tried; and you will have affliction ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Judging by outward, providential circumstances is -Ungodly Counsel- folks! It leads to false conclusions as to the blessings of God. Outward Prosperity is no indication that one is being blessed of God; and neither do outward calamities indicate His displeasure. Otherwise what will you think when you get cancer & approach your death bed?

" Ah God must be mad at me. Look, He struck me with cancer & now I'm dying!"

Very good! I suppose you expect to live forever now that you're saved!

"Look how richly God has blessed our church." The Pope!
"Look how richly God has blessed my business."  Hugh Hefner!
"Look how richly God has blessed my marriage." Any unsaved 'happily married' couple.
"Look how richly God has blessed my radio ministry." Harold Camping!

The one and only way to true blessing from GOD Himself is to abandon the Counsel of the UNgodly which includes All false doctrine and steep oneself in the law of God, as vs 2 instructs. That's the ONLY way to know the true blessing of GOD. Any other "blessing" is not of God. It is a false blessing. It is Nehushtan; nothing but a hunk-a brass.

Psalms

Main Index