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            “Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law does he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2). The psalmist paints a poetic picture of one that is faithful to God, loves the Lord and has made a choice regarding what or to whom he will listen to and what will guide his life. The faithful one is the one that does not seek the counsel of the world, but from the Lord because he has “delight in the law of the Lord”. Why was David’s focus upon the law of the Lord rather than on worldly counsel?
            First, David understood that the law of the Lord was the authority for his life. The world of David’s day made and today our world makes every effort to squeeze the child of God into its mold (Romans 12:1-2) but David understood that the world was not the authority in his life, God was. The Lord had said, “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statues and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them that you may live…you shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish ought from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:1-2). David’s delight was in the Lord’s authority and not that of the world.
             Second, David understood the blessings of the law of the Lord. “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103). The blessings that come from the Word of God are “sweeter than honey”. Some people in David’s era and in ours view the Bible as if it were a harsh book, meant to destroy the joy of man. They view it from a negative perspective and really from a worldly perspective. The psalmist understood the blessings of the Word of God. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). “Direct my steps by your word and let no iniquity have dominion over me” (Psalm 119:133). “My tongue shall speak your word for all your commandments are righteous” (Psalm 119:172). “I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight” (Psalm 119:176).  
            Third, David understood that that while he enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation, this earth was not his home. “I am a stranger in the earth, hide not your commandments from me” (Psalm 119:19). The psalmist was not at home on this earth in a spiritual sense because he had an understanding about his eternal nature. David enjoyed being a shepherd leading his sheep to good pasture and still water. His joy was shepherding the sheep, and in the evening contemplating the Lord’s creation as he gazed up into the heavens seeing the stars and planets (Psalm 19:1-7), but his greatest delight was in the “law of the Lord”. After writing regarding the wonders of the heavens and the creation David concluded, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise, the simple. The statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:7-8).
            The Word of God should be the delight for the Christian too. A delight to read, study, meditate, teach, and live. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law, he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).