Psalms1:1,2 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly…But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night”

The book of Psalms explores the full range of human experiences in a very personal and practical manner. What is important to note, however, is immediately in its first chapter the law is established as the standard of instruction for the saint. The “law” is literally the Directory, that is, the scriptures, or, the whole inspired volume of God’s Word. Reading of the scriptures without purpose and method will never be so beneficial as a prayerfully meditative reading of them. Upon this latter does the Blessed Man of Psalms find his soul’s delight. What is it, then, about this law that inspires such joy that induces the Blessed man to seek more often and more deeply an understanding of the law? As stated in the text, this is God’s law. From His own Spirit, of His own nature. The more that is known of an object of love, the more the object is loved. Let’s discover then our God in His law.

The law is the Wisdom of God. There is nothing so comprehensive in its benefits and so suitable to the lives of mankind as the bible, the holy words of Jehovah. The law is infallible, true, and applicable for all generations (Psa.33:11; 100:5). No charter, constitution, or confession of faith can fit the needs of the saints as the inspired volume. This law is infused with the highest possible wisdom and provides absolute perfect instruction for all (2Tim.3:15; Deut.4:5,6; Psa.19:7). What thanksgiving to the Lord should fill the hearts of God’s people! Divine instruction and guidance is inscribed within the scriptures for every possible thing we could need!

The law ministers of the Goodness of God. There is no adequate way to express how much goodness is given us from the fact that the Father of Lights has left His wisdom in written form. How kind and good God is to have preserved His precious words in such a manner we can personally take hold of them in our habits as well as our minds. How merciful and caring for the Lord to have written the principle of His law into even the natural conscience (Rom.1:18-20; Psa.19:1-4) so that though mankind in this world may wax worse and worse, yet, as a whole human nature is bridled from being as completely wicked as possible (Psa.76:10). The principle of its goodness is also graciously applied by the Lord upon those whom He loves for their perfection in righteousness and truth (Psa.19:7-11; 119:1-18; 2 Tim.3:15-17). What a wonder to have this goodness conveyed to our understanding and experiences of life! Oh, how good it is to know and to feel we have a good work performed within the soul of this body of flesh!

The law of God is Holy. This is necessary, for if the law shows us God’s goodness it inevitably reveals His Holiness. God’s ways are good because they emanate from a Holy God. Therefore, we read that the law and commandments of God are holy, just and good (Rom.7-12). The Psalmist declares and so might we, “Thy word is very pure: therefore, thy servant loveth it.” (Psa.119:140)

The law shows forth the Prerogative and Authority of God. The terms of the law of God cannot be debated, denied or changed any more than God Himself. The scriptures are not only the most sufficient source for all truth, practice, belief and hope (Rom.15:4; 2Tim.2:15; 4:2; 2Thess.2:13; Rom.2:20. Psa.19:9) they are also the final and highest appeal to all things (Isa.8:20, Rev.22:18). This fact we must always use in every judgement of our daily lives. Thus, the need for our daily meditation within the pages of God’s word! What comfort and confidence is given us to know we can really trust that God’s truth is the truth, all truth and it never fails us! “For the word of the Lord endureth forever” 1Peter 1:25.

The law pronounces the Power and Judgement of God. A law is enforced and governed not only because it ought to be obeyed, but because it holds responsible those who disobey it. So pure and righteous is God’s law that He is unerringly jealous of its obedience. Transgression of His law is met with certain and just consequences (Psa.1:4-6; 9:7; Job9:2-35; Rom.9:1-24). God’s law demands and will have retribution from all its violators. What a powerful impact this ought to have to the saints that God has communicated to them through His word that his people are utterly saved from His unquenchable wrath! Having fully satisfied all the law of God through His Son Christ Jesus, the Father views His people as free from its bondage and condemnation! (Rom.8:1-4, 4:1-25,7:24; Eph.1:3-13,2:1-9,14-17). They are no longer under the law as a dreadful curse and unbearable burden. They are free from its yoke of guilt and free to perform its commandments in loving obedience.

Now, all this considered, there is something exceedingly pleasant about the law to the Blessed man. He finds an eager joy and happiness in the words of God as though reading the words of a loved one for whom he cares so much that he is both fascinated and eager to read them over and over (vs2). This intimate acquaintance of words from the reader draws out a special affection toward its author. Thus, we consider the same is true with our own personal efforts to understand the scriptures. An irregular and arbitrary knowledge of Christ will bring the saint to know of heaven, but a regular and methodical knowledge of Christ will bring that understanding of heaven into the saint (Col. 2:2,3).

God’s law is indeed a wonderful source of great delight for the saint. It becomes the bearer of the greatest “good news” possible for sinners. Christ has not only fulfilled it legally, but also experientially, personally to the saint. Let us be not deceived, however. We must apply ourselves to the word of God to experience it as a source of delight. We must read it, study it, pray about it, and deliberately think about its instruction. And not occasionally, but regularly. Committed to its visitation. When this is done, the saint will find their time captured ruminating in the scriptures both in the day and night watches of their life. To love the word of God is as necessary as to believe it. If we would be truly blessed, we must become acquainted with and think on the Law of God: “Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from His mouth, and lay up His words in thine heart” (Job 22:21,22). And again, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord” (2Peter 1:2). Nothing so penetrates the heart as the words of Jehovah! And with a blessed man, it has meaning, conviction and so much in which to rejoice!

The Psalmist had not much more than the five books of Moses. From this portion of the law, he neither lacked for his daily bread, nor did his meditation fail for spiritual substance. Dear friends, God’s people now have the entire canon of holy writ! All that was ever intended to be revealed in writing and all that is needed for the saint is contained within the pages of its Testaments. What a token of Divine Love! Let us all pray we can lay claim to the benediction of the text. We have ever before us the personal instruction of Jehovah to safely guide us through each day’s maze of confusion, confrontations, endless decisions, efforts to do good, and sudden sadness and treachery. So much the more, may I, may we all, make God’s word the companion of our right hand and our hourly counsel! “For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not grievous to us”, “But my heart standeth in awe of thy word”. (1John 5:3; Psa.119:161)