They Are Like Trees Planted By Rivers of Water

This meditation is based on a passage for January 12, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Psalm 1

Reflection and Question: This poem, reflecting the perspective of the Wisdom literature like Proverbs, distinguishes between the wicked and the righteous. The images used for each make this clear. The righteous are solid, like trees growing right by the water source. The wicked, in contrast, are like chaff that the wind drives away. The line between these qualities runs not between hearts, but through every individual heart. My aim is to hold fast to the choice to delight in God’s law, lifting up the righteous part of my heart and diminishing the wicked. How does God watch over the righteous in you?