Choosing Between the Righteous Tree and Wicked Chaff

 

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we delved into Psalm 1, a profound piece of poetry that sets the stage for understanding the righteous and the wicked. Psalm 1 begins by describing the blessed man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, stand in the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of scoffers. Instead, his delight is in the law of the Lord, and he meditates on it day and night. This man is likened to a tree transplanted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season, with leaves that do not wither. In contrast, the wicked are like chaff that the wind drives away, unable to stand in the judgment or in the assembly of the righteous.

We explored the nature of poetry in the Bible, emphasizing that it is a distinct way of using language. Unlike prose, poetry in the Bible is meticulously crafted, with each word chosen for its meaning, sound, and emotional resonance. This careful construction invites us to engage deeply with the text, noticing its form and content. We discussed how poetry requires us to read and reread, to notice and reflect, rather than to seek immediate, simplistic meanings.

The sermon also highlighted the importance of discernment and the role of Scripture in guiding our lives. The blessed man’s delight in the law of the Lord is not just about reading but about meditating and internalizing God's Word. This meditation transforms him, making him like a well-watered tree, fruitful and resilient. In contrast, the wicked, who disregard God's Word, are like chaff, insubstantial and easily blown away.

We concluded by considering how we respond to Scripture. Do we ignore it, apply it superficially, or deeply engage with it? The choice is ours, and it determines whether we become like the fruitful tree or the worthless chaff. Psalm 1 calls us to a life of deep engagement with God's Word, leading to true blessedness and stability.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Nature of Biblical Poetry: Biblical poetry is a unique form of language that requires careful reading and reflection. Unlike prose, every word in a poem is chosen for its meaning, sound, and emotional impact. This invites us to engage deeply with the text, noticing its form and content, and to read it repeatedly to uncover its layers of meaning. [36:30]

2. The Blessed Man’s Delight: The blessed man in Psalm 1 delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. This meditation is not a casual reading but a deep, continuous engagement with God's Word. It transforms him, making him like a tree planted by streams of water, fruitful and resilient. This highlights the importance of internalizing Scripture and allowing it to shape our lives. [51:54]

3. The Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked: Psalm 1 presents a stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are like a well-watered tree, stable and fruitful, while the wicked are like chaff, insubstantial and easily blown away. This imagery underscores the consequences of our choices and the importance of aligning our lives with God's Word. [57:18]

4. The Role of Discernment: Discernment is crucial in choosing the right path. The blessed man does not follow the advice of the wicked but seeks wisdom from Scripture and godly counsel. This discernment is a skill that can be developed through continuous engagement with God's Word and observing the lives of the wise. [53:32]

5. Responding to Scripture: Our response to Scripture determines whether we become like the fruitful tree or the worthless chaff. We can choose to ignore it, apply it superficially, or deeply engage with it. Psalm 1 calls us to a life of deep engagement with God's Word, leading to true blessedness and stability. [11:22]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[33:21] - Introduction to Psalm 1
[33:58] - Reading of Psalm 1
[34:29] - The Structure of the Bible
[35:00] - Understanding Biblical Poetry
[36:30] - The Unique Language of Poetry
[37:33] - The Deliberate Choice of Words
[39:03] - The Emotional Impact of Words
[40:07] - Reading Poetry in the Bible
[41:10] - Examples from Song of Songs
[42:48] - The Importance of Reading Psalms as Poems
[43:58] - Engaging with Biblical Poetry
[45:01] - Questions to Ask When Reading Poetry
[46:05] - Verse-by-Verse Analysis of Psalm 1
[48:14] - The Blessed Man’s Actions
[51:54] - The Blessed Man’s Delight in the Law
[53:32] - The Role of Discernment
[57:18] - The Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked
[01:00:29] - The Conclusion of Psalm 1
[01:03:14] - The Importance of Scripture
[01:07:35] - How to Respond to Scripture
[01:11:22] - The Choice: Tree or Chaff
[01:25:13] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 1

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three actions that the blessed man in Psalm 1 avoids? ([33:58])
2. How is the blessed man described in Psalm 1, and what imagery is used to depict him? ([33:58])
3. What is the fate of the wicked according to Psalm 1, and how are they described? ([33:58])
4. What does the sermon say about the importance of the form and content of biblical poetry? ([36:30])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the blessed man delight in the law of the Lord, and how does this delight transform him? ([51:54])
2. How does the imagery of a tree planted by streams of water help us understand the life of the righteous? ([54:03])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of discernment in choosing the right path? ([53:32])
4. How does the contrast between the righteous and the wicked in Psalm 1 reflect the consequences of our choices? ([57:18])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own engagement with Scripture. Do you find yourself deeply meditating on it, or is your reading more superficial? How can you improve your engagement with God's Word? ([51:54])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of discernment. How can you develop and strengthen your discernment skills in your daily life? ([53:32])
3. Think about the imagery of the tree and the chaff. In what ways do you see yourself as a well-watered tree, and in what ways might you be like chaff? What changes can you make to become more like the tree? ([54:03])
4. How do you respond to Scripture when you read it? Do you tend to ignore it, apply it superficially, or deeply engage with it? What steps can you take to ensure a deeper engagement? ([11:22])
5. The sermon discusses the deliberate choice of words in biblical poetry. How can you apply this understanding to your own reading of the Psalms and other poetic books in the Bible? ([36:30])
6. Consider the role of community in your spiritual growth. How can you seek wisdom from Scripture and godly counsel in your church or small group? ([53:32])
7. Reflect on the sermon’s conclusion about the choice between being like the fruitful tree or the worthless chaff. What practical steps can you take this week to align your life more closely with God's Word? ([11:22])

Devotional

### Day 1: The Unique Language of Biblical Poetry
Biblical poetry is a unique form of language that requires careful reading and reflection. Unlike prose, every word in a poem is chosen for its meaning, sound, and emotional impact. This invites us to engage deeply with the text, noticing its form and content, and to read it repeatedly to uncover its layers of meaning. [36:30]

Biblical poetry is not just about the words on the page; it’s about the depth and richness those words convey. Each word is meticulously chosen for its meaning, sound, and emotional resonance. This careful construction invites us to engage deeply with the text, noticing its form and content. Unlike prose, which often conveys straightforward information, poetry in the Bible requires us to read and reread, to notice and reflect, rather than to seek immediate, simplistic meanings. This engagement with the text allows us to uncover the layers of meaning that God has embedded within His Word.

When we approach biblical poetry, we are invited into a deeper relationship with God through His Word. This form of language challenges us to slow down, to meditate, and to allow the words to penetrate our hearts and minds. It’s a call to move beyond surface-level reading and to immerse ourselves in the richness of Scripture, allowing it to transform us from the inside out.

Psalm 19:7-8 (ESV): "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."

Reflection: How can you set aside time today to deeply engage with a piece of biblical poetry, allowing its words to resonate and transform you?


### Day 2: The Blessed Man’s Delight in the Law
The blessed man in Psalm 1 delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. This meditation is not a casual reading but a deep, continuous engagement with God's Word. It transforms him, making him like a tree planted by streams of water, fruitful and resilient. This highlights the importance of internalizing Scripture and allowing it to shape our lives. [51:54]

The blessed man’s delight in the law of the Lord is a profound example of how we should approach Scripture. This delight is not a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated joy that comes from continuous engagement with God’s Word. Meditating on the law day and night implies a constant, ongoing relationship with Scripture, where it becomes a part of our daily lives and routines. This kind of meditation transforms us, making us like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season, with leaves that do not wither.

This imagery of a well-watered tree signifies stability, resilience, and fruitfulness. When we internalize Scripture, it nourishes us, providing the spiritual sustenance we need to thrive. It shapes our thoughts, actions, and attitudes, aligning them with God’s will. This transformation is not just about acquiring knowledge but about allowing God’s Word to penetrate our hearts and change us from within.

Joshua 1:8 (ESV): "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to incorporate continuous meditation on Scripture into your daily routine, allowing it to transform you?


### Day 3: The Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked
Psalm 1 presents a stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are like a well-watered tree, stable and fruitful, while the wicked are like chaff, insubstantial and easily blown away. This imagery underscores the consequences of our choices and the importance of aligning our lives with God's Word. [57:18]

The imagery in Psalm 1 vividly contrasts the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked. The righteous, who delight in and meditate on God’s law, are likened to a tree planted by streams of water. This tree is stable, fruitful, and resilient, symbolizing a life that is deeply rooted in God’s Word. In contrast, the wicked are compared to chaff, the lightweight husks separated from grain during threshing, which are easily blown away by the wind. This stark contrast highlights the consequences of our choices and the importance of aligning our lives with God’s Word.

The righteous are stable and fruitful because their lives are grounded in the truth and wisdom of Scripture. They are not easily swayed by the changing winds of culture or circumstances. On the other hand, the wicked, who disregard God’s Word, lack substance and stability. They are easily driven away by the trials and challenges of life. This passage calls us to examine our own lives and consider whether we are rooted in God’s Word or if we are like chaff, lacking stability and substance.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Reflection: Reflect on your life and consider whether you are more like the stable, fruitful tree or the insubstantial chaff. What changes can you make to ensure your life is deeply rooted in God’s Word?


### Day 4: The Role of Discernment
Discernment is crucial in choosing the right path. The blessed man does not follow the advice of the wicked but seeks wisdom from Scripture and godly counsel. This discernment is a skill that can be developed through continuous engagement with God's Word and observing the lives of the wise. [53:32]

Discernment is a vital skill for navigating the complexities of life. The blessed man in Psalm 1 demonstrates discernment by not following the advice of the wicked, standing in the path of sinners, or sitting in the seat of scoffers. Instead, he seeks wisdom from Scripture and godly counsel. This discernment is not an innate ability but a skill that can be developed through continuous engagement with God’s Word and observing the lives of those who walk in wisdom.

Discernment involves making wise choices and distinguishing between right and wrong, good and evil. It requires a deep understanding of God’s Word and a willingness to apply its principles to our daily lives. By immersing ourselves in Scripture and seeking the counsel of godly individuals, we can develop the discernment needed to navigate life’s challenges and make choices that honor God.

Proverbs 2:1-5 (ESV): "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."

Reflection: Think of a recent decision you had to make. How did you seek discernment in that situation? What steps can you take to develop greater discernment through engagement with Scripture and godly counsel?


### Day 5: Responding to Scripture
Our response to Scripture determines whether we become like the fruitful tree or the worthless chaff. We can choose to ignore it, apply it superficially, or deeply engage with it. Psalm 1 calls us to a life of deep engagement with God's Word, leading to true blessedness and stability. [11:22]

Our response to Scripture is a critical factor in determining the course of our lives. Psalm 1 presents us with a choice: we can ignore God’s Word, apply it superficially, or deeply engage with it. The blessed man’s deep engagement with Scripture transforms him into a fruitful and resilient tree, while the wicked, who disregard God’s Word, are like chaff, insubstantial and easily blown away. This passage calls us to examine how we respond to Scripture and to choose a path of deep engagement that leads to true blessedness and stability.

Ignoring Scripture or applying it superficially results in a life that lacks depth and substance. In contrast, deeply engaging with God’s Word involves meditating on it, internalizing its truths, and allowing it to shape our thoughts, actions, and attitudes. This deep engagement leads to a life that is stable, fruitful, and aligned with God’s will. It’s a call to move beyond a casual relationship with Scripture and to immerse ourselves in its richness, allowing it to transform us from the inside out.

James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

Reflection: How do you typically respond to Scripture? What steps can you take today to move from a superficial engagement with God’s Word to a deep, transformative relationship with it?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The difference between a house, a castle, and a shack, that's pretty striking. And we're going to be very careful. I mean, we might actually invite someone over to our shack, like a college roommate or something, just as a joke, but not normally. So, when we read poetry in the Bible, and if a third of it is poems, then obviously God himself thought this is the best way to communicate a whole bunch of what I have to say." [39:34] (25 seconds) ( | | )

2. "Christians have one job. Make fruit where you're planted. Bring forth love, joy, peace, patience, self-control, kindness, the fruit of the Spirit. That's your job. That's our job." [01:18:52] (17 seconds) ( | | )

3. "Jesus is actually the archetype of the man in verses one to three. He's the one who delighted in scripture, who meditated on it, who knew it so well that he could just use it as a natural part of his being. And when we come to him, we find out he's the truly happy, blessed man. He's the tree of life. He's the living water. He's the path on which the righteous walk, verse six. He's the truth in which they delight, verse two." [01:24:40] (38 seconds) ( | | )

4. "So, when we look at these, we think, okay, well, now what do I do? If poetry is this other way of language, I can't just read it like I'd read something else, as though it were prose rearranged on the page. I have to read it as a poem. What does that mean? Well, you may have heard Robert Frost, and he suggests the way to read a poem in prose or verse, that is whether the poem is embedded in the story, in the light of all the other poems ever written." [40:07] (31 seconds) ( | | )

5. "The goal is to help ourselves think more carefully about what we read. That's the first question. What do you notice? And after you discuss that for a while, and I mean just let it go as long as it goes, then we can ask, what is this poem about? Notice, not what does it mean, but what is it about? Those are the two questions that help us understand and will help us understand any poem we read, given time and practice." [46:05] (33 seconds) ( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "So, when we read poetry in the Bible, and if a third of it is poems, then obviously God himself thought this is the best way to communicate a whole bunch of what I have to say. I didn't just give it to you in a list of rules. We read poems, songs, chants." [40:07] (21 seconds) ( | | )

2. "The point is simply, application is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our responsibility is to make sure that we've actually read the text in a way that we understand what it's saying. That's our responsibility. Have I really paid attention to what this is saying? Have I spent a week working on Psalm 1? Just a week. I have. That's what I did all last week. You can ask my wife. Most of this past week, she hasn't seen me. That's all I've been doing. Almost. I took out the trash." [01:13:49] (33 seconds) ( | | )

3. "The word know is used in this sense that God made a covenant with Israel and because he made a covenant with Israel, he knows Israel in a way that he does not know any other nation on earth. And so, in the same way he says here, God knows the path of the righteous or the innocent, and he doesn't know the path of the wicked. And what God doesn't know perishing. What God says, I'm not concerned with that. They've chosen their way, let them take their way. You've chosen my way, I've prepared a place for you, I'll keep you, I'll keep you, I'll provide for you." [01:05:25] (46 seconds) ( | | )

4. "So, when we read Psalm 1, and we have this beautiful picture in verse 3 of the tree transplanted and the garden and watered and irrigated, fruitful, all that sort of thing. That tells us that another way of thinking about the Lord, about God himself, I know we think about him as, we call him Father, we call him a King, we call him other things, a Rock, Savior, etc. But he's also a farmer. And he's actually called a farmer, referred to as a farmer more often in Scripture than any of those other terms." [01:17:45] (30 seconds) ( | | )

5. "The author here doesn't have any problem with that, does he? And the path of the righteous is going to live, you're going to live, this way you're going to perish. That's it. I mean, that's exactly what Moses said to Israel back in Deuteronomy 30. He said, look, today I set before you life and death, blessing and curse, choose life so that you and your descendants may live. It's exactly what Jesus said. Matthew 7, right? He says there's a broad way that leads to destruction and a narrow way that leads to life. That's it." [01:17:11] (34 seconds) ( | | )

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Transcript
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