“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2
“Blessed” means “happy” or “blissful” having God’s gifts, which is the condition of the person described in the first three verses.
“Walks … stands … sits” is a progression from following after to settling in with the worst kind of sinners.
“Wicked” means people who disobey God’s Law and are excluded from public worship and the covenant community.
“Sinners” means people who habitually sin.
“Scoffers” are people who greatly mock and ridicule God’s Law. The progression describes people who, perhaps naively, begin to imitate those who despise God’s Law and replace it with what suits their own whims. Imitation leads to alliance, and alliance leads to assimilation. This leads to outright rejection and even ridicule of God and His Word. Those who avoid this path avoid this downward spiral to become truly blessed.
Law” is “instruction” or “direction,” including God’s Commandments as well as His proclamation of love and mercy in the Messiah, Jesus. In this context, the Law of the Lord refers specifically to the Pentateuch, the first five books of the OT. The Hebrew word for law expresses the idea of God pointing out the path for a life in fellowship with Him and provides God’s instructions and truth, which guide our steps in all situations.
“Meditates” means “to mumble” or “to speak to oneself”. Biblical meditation is focusing the mind on Scripture. The Israelites meditated on God’s Word by reciting it through the day.
God’s blessings on your day…