the ways and ends of the righteous. By Charles Spurgeon. Psalm chapter 1, verses 1 through 3. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

The psalmist begins the Psalter by describing the man whom God calls blessed, not one whom the world admires for riches, fame, or power, but one separated from evil and saturated with Scripture.

The righteous man does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. He does not adopt their philosophies. He does not stand in the way of sinners. He does not linger with their practices. He does not sit in the seat of mockers. He refuses the settled scorn of those who defy God.

The progression is deliberate, walking, then standing, then sitting. Sin gains strength by degrees, but the righteous man turns aside from that path entirely. He chooses the narrow road that leads to life.

The foundation of his godliness is inward delight. His delight is in the law of the Lord. He does not merely read the Word out of duty. He treasures it as His joy. It is His rule and compass, His comfort and guide. He feeds upon it as His daily bread.

On His law, He meditates day and night. Scripture is not a garnish on the side of His life. It is the main course. He turns it over in His heart continually. This is no superficial engagement. Like Mary, He treasures up all these things and ponders them.

And what is the result? He is like a tree planted by streams of water. His stability is not His own doing. He is planted by the sovereign grace of God. The living water of God's Word nourishes Him, and He becomes fruitful. His life bears the character of Jesus, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and all the Spirit's fruit.

His leaf does not wither. His spiritual life is not seasonal, but enduring. In drought and in flood, His roots are deep. Whatever He does prospers, not in worldly gain, but in spiritual success. His soul flourishes under the blessing of God.

This is the way and the end of the righteous, separation from evil, saturation in scripture, and steadfast fruitfulness. Such a life is only possible through union with Jesus, the blessed man par excellence, who perfectly obeyed God's law, bore our curse, and now lives in his people by the Spirit.

May our lives mirror His, as we walk not with the wicked, but with our Shepherd-King.