Psalm 1 - A Psalm of Wisdom (Orientation)
by Pastor Paul Dugan
Try entering into prayer with this three-part rhythm:
Part 1
Become present to the presence of God:
Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend. (Psalm 5:3 The Message).
Pause in silence before God. Practice breathing slowly and deeply. As you inhale, invite the Holy Spirit to fill every part of your being. As you exhale, release any burdens you are carrying into this time of prayer. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self -‘as is’ -before the presence of God.
Part 2
Slowly read Psalm 1 out loud in two different translations: (for audio versions click here)
Psalm 1 (NLT)
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
Psalm 1 (The Message):
1 How well God must like you—
you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats,
you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings,
you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls.
2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
always in blossom.
4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked,
who are mere windblown dust—
Without defense in court,
unfit company for innocent people.
6 God charts the road you take.
The road they take leads to nowhere.
Part 3
Use your own words to pray Psalm 1 back to God:
Begin by personalizing the pronouns in the psalm, turning the words about God and others into a prayer directly to God. For example, v. 2-3 (‘But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees…’) becomes ‘But I DELIGHT in YOUR law, Lord. Make ME like a tree…’ Pray your way through the psalm in this way.
Then gather these thoughts into your own psalm of wisdom:
"I lament the sorrow and pain in my life and world that has resulted from unwise choices... (my choices and the choices of others)
“I thank you God for giving us clear boundaries, for defining for us what is true and false, good and evil, wise and foolish. And thank you for giving us the freedom to choose the good. I bring to you the choices that are before me today… (ex, how I invest my time, thoughts, words, relationships, money, abilities, body, etc.)
Psalm 1:3 is an echo of Eden, centered around the tree of life, where heaven and earth fully overlap. Jesus is the true Tree of Life: ‘ “Remain in me, and I will remain in you! The branch can’t bear fruit by itself, but only if it remains in the vine. In the same way, you can’t bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. People who remain in me, and I in them, are the ones who bear plenty of fruit. Without me, you see, you can’t do anything.” (John 15:4-5 NTE).
Give praise to Jesus for being the source of our life and fruitfulness.
The psalms were originally written as lyrics, as prayers set to music. Throughout the history of Israel and the church, the people of God have sung the psalms. Song invites us to internalize the Word of God with the whole self- body, mind, imagination, emotions and affections. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 1 set to music. Try taking the psalm song with you into your day.
From the album 'By the Streams' (2016) by Jonathan Ogden.
From the album Worship and the Word, Vol 2 (2022) by Shane and Shane. shaneandshane.com