The first psalm starts with a joyful shout. See the man who may be richly blessed! That is encouraging for the readers of all times. This blessing from God does not come automatically. You have to make a choice. You do not want to live like people who do not value God’s commandments. You stay away from them. You do not cozy up with those who mock God. You realize the risk that it is possible to become influenced by them.
That is why you make the radical choice against the worldly passions, of which you know in your heart that they draw you away from God. You agree with what Joshua once said: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15b). Or in other words: yes, in the world,
but not of the world
(1 John 2:15–17).
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;