The Godly Man
The Pulpit Commentary Homiletics - Psalm 1:1-2

This psalm nobly fills the place of prologue to the whole Book of Psalms. It reminds us of our Saviour’s words when Nathanael drew near: “Behold an Israelite indeed!” With that marvellous, condensed fulness and graphic force which peculiarly mark the Scriptures, it, draws the portrait of the godly man. If we compare the Old Testament picture of an Israelite indeed with the New Testament picture of the true believers” a good man full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, “we find no discord, only a fulness, richness, tenderness, power, in the latter, Impossible before the Light of the world shone on human hearts and lives. The one is like a clear, perfect outline; the other, like the painting which adds to the outline colour, light, and shadow.

I. The godly man is described NEGATIVELY, in sharp contrast with the ungodly. They are as little to his mind as he to theirs. The Revised Version here gives a stricter rendering — “wicked.” But our English word “ungodly” expresses the real essence of all wickedness, the secret spring of sin (comp. Psalm 54:3; 36:1; Jeremiah 2:13).

1. He is not guided by this world’s maxims, walks not “in the counsel” — by the rule, of those who leave God out of their reckoning. N.B. — The chief thing in life is the counsel — plan, ruling principles, and maxims — by which it is guided. E.g. one man’s aim in life is “to die rich;” another’s motto,” Short life and merry;” another’s, “To me to live is Christ.”

2. His conduct, therefore, openly contrasts. “Nor standeth,” etc. Closely associated, it may be, in business, society, public affairs; for else he “must needs go out of the world” (1 Corinthians 5:10); yet, as his aim is not theirs, so their means are not his means, nor their path his path (Proverbs 4:14, 15). Business life has temptations from which recluse life is free, but also opportunities for witnessing for truth and Christ.

3. His chosen company corresponds with counsel and conduct. “Nor sitteth,” etc. Not frequenting their haunts, sharing their revels, making them his bosom friends (Proverbs 1:15; 13:20). N.B. — A steady progress in sin is indicated — walking, standing, sitting. First, stepping aside from the right path into crooked ways in compliance with evil counsel; secondly, continuing a line of conduct conscience condemns; at last, sitting down at the banquet of sinful pleasure, conscience drugged or scared, God openly despised. A picture of how many lives once bright with hope!

II. POSITIVELY, by one unmistakable, distinguishing mark: delight in God’s Law.

1. The written Word is dear to him. The primary reference is, of course, to the Law of Moses, of which every letter was dear and sacred to the devout Israelite. How much dearer should the completed Scriptures be to the Christian (1 John 1:17)!

2. The deep spiritual truth of God’s Word engages his profound study, is “the rejoicing of his heart” (Jeremiah 15:16; Colossians 3:16). Take Psalm 119. as the consummate expression of the value of God’s Law to a mind taught by God’s Spirit. Note the great principles embodied — that God rules by law; that each of us stands in direct relation to God, as subject to his Law; that this Law is plainly revealed, N.B. — No Israelite, however ungodly, could call in question the fact that God spake to and by Moses, without pouring contempt on the law and constitution of his country; this was the cornerstone.

3. He loves God’s Law as the practical guide of his life (comp. John 8:12, 31, 32).

CONCLUSION. This picture is realized in ideal perfection in our Lord Jesus. All the severity of vers. 4-6 is found in his denunciations of the impenitent cities, of guilty Jerusalem, of the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees, of wilful unbelievers (John 12:48). But joined to this is the tender, sympathizing compassion, gracious humility, Divine love and forgiveness which made him “who knew no sin” the “Friend of sinners” — “able to be touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” as well as “able to save to the uttermost” (Hebrews 7:25, 26; 4:15; Matthew 9:10-13).