Where else would we start any study of the Psalms than at the first Psalm! It is the door to these wonderful writings, inspired and preserved by God for the comfort, guidance and instruction of the redeemed.

I. We will start with the first word!

1. The meaning of “Blessed”. It literally means ‘Happinesses, Blessednesses’. It denotes a plurality of happiness. We cannot measure the pleasures or set the limits of the delight that springs from our obedience of the Word of God.

Joy is the immediate benefit that springs from our obedience and study of the Word of God.

2. This blessedness is obtained by faith alone. Faith begets obedience. I believe therefore I obey!

3. Furthermore, the ‘blessedness’ that we enjoy from the Bible overrules all the sorrows and grief of life. “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God,” 1 Samuel 30:6. Also, the ‘blessedness’ is everlasting. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore,” Psa 16:11.

II. Contrary to what men say, the truth of God is the key to joy and victory.

1. Men constantly mock the religion of Christ and blame it for all and every ill in the world! But this is but another lie from the devil, ‘the father of lies’!

2. Nothing could be further from the truth. The song of the saints in heaven testify of this. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth,” Rev 5:9-10.

3. Wretchedness comes from a neglect of God’s Word. This is what the last two verses clearly tell us.

III. That joy is found ALONE in obedience to God’s Word.

“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. But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night,” Vv 1-2.

1. Here is total obedience to God. Neither WALKS, STANDS nor SITS with the defiant, the disobedient, the disorderly!

2. Instead, there is a delighting in the Law of God. The word delight means ‘finds pleasure’.

3. Note too that the Word of God is the holy person’s constant study. But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.