Psalm 1 begins the entire book of Psalms with a blessing. The first three verses relate how one is amazingly blessed by being a person of character and integrity before the Lord and others (vs. 1) and by also delighting and meditating “day and night” on the word of God (vs. 2). What God has joined together, we should deeply respect and appreciate. And we certainly shouldn’t overlook!
What’s meditation? Meditation has to do with deep thinking on the beauty and truth of God and Scripture for the purpose of better loving, knowing, understanding, applying and praying His will in our lives. It’s been well said that the only way to keep a broken vessel full is to keep the faucet running – and that is exactly what meditation is all about (cf. Psalm 119:97, 99; 2 Corinthians 4:7). Meditation is like a cow chewing its cud, a tea bag transforming the color and flavor of the water in which it has been placed, a sponge absorbing water or like cloth placed into a dye. The purpose of meditation, of course, is greater godliness and Christlikeness (1 Timothy 4:7-8; Romans 8:29). Biblical meditation involves ingestion (taking it in), digestion (effectively breaking it down into smaller parts) and absorption (utilizing to the fullest what has been taken in and digested).
Hear what David had to say about the value and benefit of meditation in Psalm 1.
- Meditation will Bless Your Life (vs. 1). There’s a supreme sense of joy and happiness associated with meditation.
- Meditation will Delight Your Soul (vs. 2). It is one of the most desirable, pleasing and rewarding things one can do.
- Meditation will Give You Roots and Stability (vs. 3). A person who meditates on God and His word is “like a tree planted by streams of water.”
- Meditation will Make You More Fruitful (vs. 3). Note the expression “yields its fruit in its season” (cf. John 15:8; Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 1:10).
- Meditation will Sustain You During Tough Times (vs. 3). “Its leaf does not wither.” The circumstances and seasons of life do not cause this person to dry up and wither spiritually.
- Meditation will Help You Prosper (vs 3). “Whatever he does, he prospers.” One can become more successful, strong and victorious due to the practice of meditation.
Since the purpose of meditation is to better love, know and understand God, as well as to apply and pray His will to our lives, we will receive what we desire most – a richer, deeper relationship with our God and King! This is just a little something for you to think about and to meditate upon.
Mike Vestal
