Introduction

1.  A reading of this psalm reveals that the righteous and the ungodly or wicked are here contrasted. Note especially verse 6.

2.  Let us study this psalm and determine that we will follow the path of the righteous man herein described.

I.  THE RIGHTEOUS MAN IS DESCRIBED IN VERSES 1-3.  Note: The word blessed denotes a condition resulting from a state of inner peace with God and man. This meaning may be derived from Matthew 5:1-12; James 1:12 and Revelation 1:3; 14:13.  The righteous man is blessed because:

  A. He does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly (wicked). vs.1

1. 1 Kgs.12:12-14. Rehoboam took counsel of the wicked.

2. Exodus 18:19. Moses received good counsel from his father-in-law.

3. Prov.1:8 Eph.6:1. Children need counsel of godly parents

4. The ungodly advise by word of mouth and by the life that they live that bible study and worship are not significant. 

5. Christians need the counsel of godly elders. Heb.13:17

  B. He does not stand in the way of sinners.

1. A sinner is one who has missed the mark. 1 John 3:4 

2. Acts 7:58. Saul stood by while others stoned Stephen.

3. The righteous do not loiter in the path of or frequent places of those who commit sins such as gambling, drinking, fornication,etc.  See Prov.7:1-25

4. 1 Thess.5:22. The righteous avoid evil in all its forms.

  C. He does not sit in the seat of the scornful.

1. To scorn is to treat with contempt; to scoff; to mock; to deride.  TheIrreligious are often scoffers.

2. 1 Cor.15:33 evil companionships will corrupt, especially those who do not believe in the resurrection.

Note the progressive nature of sin--walk, stand, sit.

  D. He delights in the law of the Lord. 

1. Because it wall save his soul if obeyed. Acts 20:32

2. The righteous delight to hear all of God's word. Deut.5:29   Acts 10:33.  Do we delight in the plan of salvation, Mk.16:15,16, God's laws of marriage, Mt.19; and teaching on how we are to live?

3. The righteous delight  to hear God's Word read and taught so they will frequent places where such is done. For example, gospel meetings and bible classes.

  E. He meditates day and night on the law of God. 

1. Illust. Meditate comes from a word which means to mutter or chatter as those in deep thought sometimes so talk to themselves.

2. See Joshua 1:8;  Psalm 119:11,97.  We need to read the bible and then stop and meditate on what we have read.

  F. The Righteous man bears fruit.

1. Illust. Fruit trees planted and irrigated bear fruit.

2. The righteous bear fruit, especially in winning souls. Note John 15 on fruit bearing.

 II. THE UNGODLY MAN. VERSE 4.

  A. He has none of the qualities of the righteous man.

  B. He is like the chaff.  Illustrate the ancient method of separating chaff and wheat. Compared to wheat, the chaff is worthless.

  C. The unrighteous is worthless or not good for:

1. teaching other of Christ's love for mankind. He cares not for his own soul, much less for the souls of others.

2. He cannot restore the erring for he himself is in error.

III. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE UNGODLY AT THE JUDGMENT. VERSES 5 AND 6

 A. V.5. The ungodly will not stand approved of God. cf. Mt.7:23; Matthew 25:41

  B. V.6. The righteous will be approved. Mt.25:34; Rev.22:14

IV. SOME LESSONS FROM THIS STUDY

  A. The man who does right in God's sight is the blessed or approved man of this Psalm. 

  B. There is a great need for all of us to meditate day and night on the word of God.

  C. Surely you want to be a righteous person. The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel, Romans 1:17, and you can become righteous by obeying the gospel.