The Blessed Man (Psalm 1:1)

 


Saturday, 1 November, 2025


Psalms 1; 2

2 Kings 11:17-12:8

Matthew 20:17-34


Observance: All Saints


The Blessed Man (Psalm 1:1)


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;


A major theme that frequently appears in the Psalms is this person often referred to as the “righteous man”. This mysterious figure is a regular character, and is one of two main muses that have inspired these songs (the other being the Lord).


Considering this character is sung of so often, we are led to ask: who is he? Confirming this is the fact that, of all the different songs that make up the Psalter, the very first one is about him.


So who is he? Who is this man that does not walk according to the way of the wicked? Who does not stand with sinners, or sits with the scoffers? What is the name of he whose delight is in the law of the Lord, meditating on it constantly?


He is like the tree planted by the river, full of life and health. He draws out streams of living water; he is the one into whom we are grafted. He is the vine and we are the branches. His name is Emmanuel, God with us, the Prince of peace, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of the living God, our brother, our friend.


How does Christ’s perfect righteousness inspire you in your own pursuit of holiness? How is his perfection admired in song from your own lips?


Christ Jesus, the blessed and righteous man who is also God: inspire in us an ever-greater admiration of your perfection, that it may bring songs from our lips, and closer imitation in our lives.

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