Today’s reading is Psalm 67.
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.…
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Don’t be confused. Your eyes did not deceive you. This week’s psalm is Psalm 67, but I did just quote Psalm 1. On Monday, I suggested this week’s psalm brings together three strands of thought. The first is the Aaronic blessing. The second is the Abrahamic promise. The third is the Psalmic introduction. (I admit it, I made up “Psalmic” so the three strands sound the same.)
We have often said the first psalm provides an introduction to the entire psalter. We’ve noted multiple psalms calling back to it. Psalm 67 does the same. The entire psalter begins with a declaration regarding whom God blesses. He blesses the one who meditates on and delights in His law. He blesses the one who walks on God’s way. He blesses that one like a tree planted by streams of waters, yielding fruit in its season. By implication, He makes the blessed one stand in the judgment and among the congregation.
Notice how so much of this makes its way into this week’s psalm. We seek a blessing. When we are blessed, the rest of the earth will learn about God’s way. God blesses by causing a fruitful yield on the earth. While that last one refers specifically to God’s blessing Israel with fruitful crops, it still calls to mind the fruitful blessing of Psalm 1. Because the nations learn God’s way, they can be glad God judges and leads them (of course, only if they will follow).
Like yesterday, we discover we must not seek blessing simply for the sake of personally experiencing blessing. Rather, we seek blessing so folks outside Christ, not walking on God’s way, may learn God’s way. We seek blessing so people around us may see it really does matter who a person’s God is.
May we seek God’s blessing. May we declare God’s blessing. May we shine the light of God to folks around us so they will want to walk God’s way.
Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 67.
PODCAST!!!
PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does Psalm 67 prompt or improve your trust in God?
Read the Bible 