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;
Psalm 1:1
It is often said that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. The company we keep holds great significance. While God calls us to be lights, solely immersing ourselves in this world risks the darkness extinguishing our light. Psalm 1 eloquently highlights the importance of the relationships we cultivate, opening with three parallel images of spending time with the world.
Three Bad Influences
The first image warns us against walking in the advice (or counsel or plans) of the wicked. In biblical language, “walking” (Hebrew halak) symbolizes how one lives their life. For instance, Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5:22), as did Noah (Genesis 6:9). Later Hebrew employs the term “halakah” to describe the act of following or walking out God’s commands in life. We are called to embrace God’s instruction, rather than relying solely on our own or succumbing to the world’s influence.
The second image urges us not to stand in the way (or path) of sinners. Just as our walk signifies the direction of our life, this image emphasizes the importance of the path we choose. Proverbs warns us to not walk in the way of sinners (Proverbs 1:15). “There is a way that seems right to a man, / but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12). We will explore the term “way” in more depth in verse six.
The third image advises us against sitting in the seat of mockers. A mocker is someone who jeers or mocks, scoffing at wise counsel. There appears to be a play on words here. The word for “mocker” is “letz,” while the word for “tree” in verse three is “etz.” We are encouraged not to sit with a letz but instead be fruitful etz. The term “letz” is most commonly found in Proverbs, where it is translated as a scoffer or mocker. Proverbs 13:1 illustrates this: “A wise son hears his father’s instruction, / a scoffer (letz) does not listen to rebuke.”
How is Your Walk?
Instead of walking with the wicked, standing with sinners, or sitting with mockers, verse two guides us to delight in God’s instructions. (We will explore this further next time) This notion harkens back to the Shema: “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6:7). Whether we walk or stand, lie down or rise, God’s Word should constantly occupy our minds and be on our lips.
Think about the people you spend the most time with. How are they shaping your character? Are they people you want to emulate? Do you want to be more like them? By surrounding ourselves with God’s wisdom and cultivating a deep delight in His instructions, we can navigate a path of righteousness amidst a world filled with distractions.
