Psalms for Life: Embracing the Good Life in God

As the seasons change and we enter November, we begin a journey through the Book of Psalms—a book that serves as heaven’s vocabulary for earth’s worship. When words fail us in prayer, the Psalms give us language to approach God, just as Jesus Himself did on the cross, reciting the Psalms in His final moments. The Psalms are not just poetry; they are portals into God’s heart, guiding us in prayer, worship, and wisdom for living a good life.

The question arises: what is a good life, and how can we have it? The world often defines a good life by possessions, achievements, or comfort, but Scripture paints a different picture. In Genesis, God’s blessing was not a wish or a stroke of luck, but a commissioning—a divine alignment with His purpose. To be blessed is to be aligned with God’s will, not merely to have favorable circumstances. The original design for humanity was to be planted in God’s presence, like a tree by streams of water, rooted and fruitful. Yet, through disobedience, humanity was exiled from the garden, from the presence of God, and from the good life.

Psalm 1 contrasts the blessed person—rooted in God’s law and presence—with those who walk, stand, and sit among the wicked, sinners, and mockers. There is a progression in sin: what begins as curiosity can become compromise and corruption. The company we keep and the influences we allow shape our spiritual trajectory. The imagery of chaff—light, empty, and blown away—reminds us that a life apart from God’s presence is ultimately weightless and fleeting.

Yet, Psalm 1 is not ultimately about us. It points to Jesus, the true Blessed Man, who delighted in God’s law and perfectly fulfilled His will. Where Adam failed in the first garden, Jesus triumphed in Gethsemane. Where Adam ate from the tree that brought death, Jesus hung on the tree that brings life. Through His sacrifice, He invites us back into the presence of God, to partake of the tree of life, to be reconciled and restored.

The good life is not about what we possess, but about being brought back into God’s presence through Jesus. It is a call to realign our lives with God’s will, to be rooted in Him, and to receive the life that only He can give.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Blessing Is Alignment, Not Luck God’s blessing is not a random act of kindness or a wish for good fortune; it is a divine commissioning and alignment with His will. To be blessed is to have your life oriented toward God’s purpose, just as Adam and Eve were commissioned in the garden. True blessing is not about circumstances, but about being in step with God’s design for your life. [34:36]
• 2. The Progression of Sin and the Power of Influence Sin is never static; it moves from walking, to standing, to sitting among the wicked. What starts as curiosity can become compromise, and eventually, corruption. The people and influences we allow into our lives shape our spiritual direction, so we must be vigilant about our associations and what we allow to shape our hearts. [38:15]
• 3. Holiness Requires Discernment in What We Consume Just as the Israelites were called to avoid what was unclean, we are called to discern what we take in—whether it’s media, relationships, or ideas. Feeding on what the world calls “good” can contaminate our spiritual lives if it is not aligned with God’s standards. Holiness is not just about avoiding sin, but about intentionally choosing what draws us closer to God. [44:18]
• 4. Jesus Is the True Blessed Man and the Tree of Life Psalm 1 ultimately points to Jesus, not to us. He is the one who delighted in God’s law, meditated on it day and night, and perfectly obeyed the Father—even to the point of death. Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded, and through His sacrifice, He becomes the tree of life, offering us restoration and eternal life in God’s presence. [54:27]
• 5. The Good Life Is Found in God’s Presence, Not in Possessions A truly good life is not measured by achievements, wealth, or comfort, but by being reconciled to God and restored to His presence. Through Jesus, we are invited back into the “garden,” to partake of the tree of life, and to live in the blessing of God’s nearness. The ultimate question is not what we have, but whether we are rooted in Christ and have our names written in the book of life. [56:17]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [27:49] - Introduction to Psalms for Life
• [28:59] - Psalms: Heaven’s Vocabulary for Earth’s Worship
• [29:36] - Jesus Prays the Psalms on the Cross
• [30:41] - Psalms as Wisdom for Living
• [32:20] - What Is a Blessed Life?
• [33:35] - God’s Blessing: Commissioning and Alignment
• [35:29] - The Fall: From Blessed to Cursed Life
• [36:21] - The Tree Planted by Streams of Water
• [37:38] - Redefining the Good Life
• [38:02] - The Progression of Sin
• [39:18] - Generational Consequences: Cain and Seth
• [41:32] - Chaff and the Fate of the Wicked
• [43:04] - Holiness and Spiritual Intake
• [44:44] - Jesus and the Canaanite Woman
• [46:24] - Mockers and the Crucifixion
• [48:27] - Fulfillment of Psalm 22 in Jesus
• [49:19] - Psalm 1: Adam, Humanity, and Jesus
• [51:18] - Meditating on God’s Law
• [54:27] - Jesus: The Second Adam and Tree of Life
• [56:17] - The Good Life: Back to the Garden
• [57:47] - Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life
• [58:25] - Invitation to Receive the Good Life
• [59:09] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Psalm 1 (ESV) — > 1 Blessed is the man
> who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
> nor stands in the way of sinners,
> nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
> 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
> and on his law he meditates day and night.
> 3 He is like a tree
> planted by streams of water
> that yields its fruit in its season,
> and its leaf does not wither.
> In all that he does, he prospers.
> 4 The wicked are not so,
> but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
> 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
> nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
> 6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
> but the way of the wicked will perish.

Genesis 1:28 (ESV) — > And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Revelation 22:14-15 (ESV) — > 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.
> 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 1, what are the actions and attitudes that describe the “blessed” person? What is the progression of behavior described in verse 1?
2. In Genesis 1:28, what does God’s blessing involve for Adam and Eve? How is this different from how people usually use the word “blessed”?
3. What is the imagery used in Psalm 1 to describe the blessed person, and what does it mean to be “like a tree planted by streams of water”?
4. In Revelation 22:14-15, who is allowed to enter the city and eat from the tree of life, and who is left outside?

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that “blessing” is not about luck or good circumstances, but about being aligned with God’s will and purpose. How does this change the way someone might pray for or seek God’s blessing? [[34:36]]
2. The progression from walking, to standing, to sitting among the wicked in Psalm 1 was described as a warning about the power of influence and the gradual nature of sin. How might this progression show up in someone’s life today? [[38:15]]
3. The sermon points out that Psalm 1 is ultimately about Jesus as the true Blessed Man, not just about us trying harder. How does seeing Jesus as the fulfillment of Psalm 1 affect the way we read this psalm and apply it to our lives? [[54:27]]
4. The “good life” is described as being in God’s presence, not about possessions or achievements. What are some ways people might confuse the world’s definition of a good life with the biblical one? [[56:17]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to think about what it really means to be “blessed.” When you say “God bless you” or pray for blessing, what are you actually hoping for? How can you shift your prayers to focus more on alignment with God’s will rather than just asking for good circumstances? [[34:36]]
2. Think about your daily influences—media, friendships, conversations. Are there any “counsels of the wicked” or negative influences you are walking, standing, or sitting with that you need to reconsider? What is one practical step you can take this week to change your spiritual environment? [[38:15]]
3. The sermon talked about the importance of discerning what we “consume”—not just food, but ideas, entertainment, and relationships. Is there something you regularly take in that you sense is not helping you grow closer to God? What would it look like to “throw it to the dogs” and choose something better? [[44:18]]
4. Jesus is described as the true Blessed Man and the Tree of Life, offering us restoration and eternal life. How does this truth encourage you when you feel like you’ve failed or fallen short? What does it look like for you to “partake of the tree of life” in your daily walk? [[54:27]]
5. The “good life” is about being rooted in God’s presence. Are there areas in your life where you feel “rootless” or spiritually dry? What is one way you can intentionally seek God’s presence this week—through prayer, worship, or meditating on Scripture? [[36:21]]
6. The sermon mentioned that the company we keep shapes our spiritual direction. Is there a relationship or group you need to distance yourself from, or a new community you need to seek out, in order to grow in holiness? [[38:15]]
7. The ultimate question from the sermon: “Are you back in the garden? Are you reconciled with God?” If you’re not sure, what is holding you back from accepting Jesus’ invitation to the good life? If you are, how can you help someone else take a step toward God’s presence this week? [[56:17]]