Psalms 1 helps make it clear

The Bible’s Book of Psalms is deeply expressive in the areas of love, trust, fear, anxiety, distress, thanksgiving and praise and constitutes a book of prayers, and praise. And from first to last, it is poetry.

Psalms is believed to have been written largely from the 10th to the 5th centuries B.C. As a matter of fact, it is the Bible’s longest book, contains the longest chapter (Psalms 119), and shortest chapter (117).

The very middle of the Bible has been claimed to be at both Chapter 118:8, as well as at Chapter 117, which seems to have been dependent on the canon of reference — longer Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox canons, versus the common Protestant canon.

The term “canon” means is that a book is approved for reading at the Divine Liturgy –that is, the Mass

And in the King James Version of the Bible, it has an even number of verses (31,102) and, thus, does not have a single middle verse. The “middle verses” are Psalm 103:1-2, with 15,550 verses before and after.

Psalms 1 is the first of 150 Psalms penned by David, and others that express emotions and the feelings of the heart. David has been described as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).

When reading the Bible, take each Book, chapter verse by chapter verse, study it thoroughly, take notes on your observations about what you learn and understand, and you’ll be on your way to really knowing the Bible, and, how God thinks.

Here’s your first Chapter, Psalms 1, verse by verse:

1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

A clear verse speaking of a person who is blessed that avoids all forms of ungodliness, whether it comes in the form of ungodly behavior, as the Bible defines it, sinning – being on the same road as someone steeped in sin.

Now not, helping the sinner — that’s different. All should be Good Samaritans, which is, helping the one in need regardless of what they are in to, or have done.

However, as the verse concludes, not making ourselves a part of one who is scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.

Clearly expressing a benefit to the one who delights in all the laws put forth in the Bible…the law of the Lord. And additional support and affirmation as to the one who studies the Bible each and every day.

3 He shall be like a tree, Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

The psalmist goes on further to fully describe what such a man receives when he chooses to walk not in the counsel of the ungodly. A well-planted tree is what he will be—never needing water because his birth and growth will have taken place in an area constantly flourishing with water. He will bear good fruit in season, never faltering in the weight of the task – whose leaf shall not wither. And everything he puts his hands to is a success!

4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

In verse 4, it is made clear what happens to those who take a wicked path, thinking only of themselves and not of others. As easily as the wind blows away chaff (the husks of corn or other seed separated by winnowing or threshing), does God allow them to be removed due to their wickedness.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

The psalmist, through God’s understanding and leading in this writing, sums up the end result of the ungodly. They shall not be able to be in a place of judging others. Nor will they be allowed in the presence of those who have chosen God’s path and abided by His laws.

6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Here, it is clear there are two paths from which to choose, and only one way God knows and recognizes as a part of Him. They way of the righteous. Those who don’t choose this path, but rather sin, shall perish.

According to the Biblical teaching of Jesus Christ and those of Christianity, there is a path of redemption for those who have chosen a path of unrighteousness and sin as described in Psalm 1.

Those who are interested in the way of redemption can find it in the Bible’s New Testament Book of John, Chapter 3, verses 16-17:

John 3:16-17 -16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17- For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

For redemption and forgiveness, believe these verses. Specifically, it is Jesus who is God’s one and only Son; and through these verses, you are to receive the truth in that. It is called the ABC’s of salvation.

In praying to God, sitting, kneeling, standing up — however you are comfortable, you are to, speak to God with sincerity and belief from your heart: your acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior; believe He can and has forgiven you of your sins, that he went to the Cross and died for you, and that He rose from the grave, and, is the one and only Son of God. Confess your sins; then ask Jesus into your heart.

Then, start anew by getting a Bible, finding a good local church to be a part of, and establishing other Christian friendships and relationships; inclusive in this is introducing yourself to the church’s pastor and speaking with him or her, so you can keep moving in this new, righteous direction.

And don’t forget, attend church services.