Way of Righteousness

The book of Psalms opens with a theme which is developed constantly in powerful images throughout the psalms–the contrast between how the wicked and righteous live. The evil way involves wickedness, sin, scoffing, futility, emptiness, exclusion and destruction; the good way invokes meditation on God’s law, wisdom, growth, fruitfulness, flourishing and protection. Later psalms will struggle with the prosperity of the wicked, but here, at the beginning, is a strong note of encouragement to the faithful. The happy person (“blessed,” v. 1) is the righteous one, who reveres the law of God and whose way of life is defined by avoiding paths of temptation.

The NIV follows the Hebrew and uses the singular for the righteous person and plural for the wicked; it also has seven nouns for the sinful! This all seems significant. It conveys that the faithful are in a minority, often lonely, experiencing the countercultural struggle of rejecting ways of sinful living. This might well speak to you today! The order of resistance advocated in verse 1 also seems significant, echoed in an old Hebrew warning: “Don’t go; if you go, don’t stand; if you stand, don’t sit.” The implication is that once we head off in the wrong direction, the dangers of getting drawn into a wrong lifestyle increase if we sit and join those who reject God.

The good way is neither separatism nor the “prosperity gospel.” There is no veto against social action, only against the wrong mindset. “Prospers” (3) is no promise of affluence, but of good lives that lead to abundant flourishing rather than futility. The choice in this psalm comes to you today–take the path of faithful obedience and experience the blessing of knowing God is with you every step of the journey.

Which areas of your life as a Christian bring any sense of isolation? Why do you think that is the case? How can this psalm help you deal with the problem?