Rediscovering Discipleship: Making Jesus’ Final Words Our First Work

by Robby Gallaty

Let’s put on our Hebraic glasses for a moment and visualize the truth conveyed in Psalm 1. The English Standard Version sketches the first verses for us clearly: 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; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night (vv. 1 – 2 ESV). As we have seen, Hebrew language communicates with word pictures. Here the psalmist begins by conjuring up some very specific images for the people who would be singing or listening to this psalm. The goal is to show them a downward progression, to highlight the person we are not to be. Notice the three different verbs in the first half of the verse: walk, stand, sit. You can picture it this way: When you follow the advice of the wicked, you stop walking. When you take the path of sinners, you move from standing to squatting. When you squat, you’re frozen. Your growth is at a standstill. Your devotional life is nonexistent, and your affection for the Lord is cold.