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Morning Devotion for the Season After Pentecost

July 3,, 2023

The Invitatory

The mercy of the Lord is everlasting: O come, let us adore him.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Reading: Psalm 1

1 Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of

the wicked, *

nor lingered in the way of sinners,

nor sat in the seats of the scornful!

2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord, *

and they meditate on his law day and night.

3 They are like trees planted by streams of water,

bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; *

everything they do shall prosper.

4 It is not so with the wicked; *

they are like chaff which the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when

judgment comes, *

nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, *

but the way of the wicked is doomed.

Meditation: Jo Ann B. Jones

I have always loved/thrilled to Psalm 1. Opening with a way of being and the image of the trees planted by streams of water is so inviting and sustaining. But make no mistake, this psalm is not sentimental. Though it opens with happiness, this concept of happiness is commonly misunderstood in contemporary contexts. This happiness is not one that is warm, fuzzy, and without complication. By contrast, this happiness arises following the instruction of God. This allows the individual to move forward, to develop, to grow in life. This life is not devoid of problems, anxieties, or heartache. For those in relationship with God, he grants them the freedom to evolve as a human being. The delight of the happy ones is centered in “the law of the Lord” and “they meditate [on it] day and night.” This is not a requirement to obey blindly, but rather it offers an opportunity to speak, as if in ongoing conversation with God. This delight in the law must be what causes one to be so rooted, like trees planted. It is sustaining and life-giving. No wonder there is such happiness. One can live fully, able to enjoy life and overcome difficulties.

The imagery of rootedness is helpful and compelling. Imagine these trees planted next to streams of water. Their roots always find nourishment to yield fruit. The water becomes part of the tree itself and causes it to flourish. Without water the tree would potentially fail. Meditation on the law of God is viewed as something that we may internalize, bringing refreshment to our parched places. It can produce the conditions necessary for fruitfulness. We receive strength from God so that we may discern that which is wicked and choose against it.

Discerning that which is wicked and that which is righteous is more complex than it may appear at first glance. The Psalmist invites us into complicated spaces of personal reflection to examine ourselves and our own often unexamined assumptions about what is right, good, true, and worth doing. Psalm 1 provokes an internal conversation about who we are and who we think we are. It invites us into spaces of discomfort and personal reckoning.

Ultimately, Psalm 1 celebrates the saving presence of God for the individual. There are two ways - one leading to life, one leading to death. The recitation of God’s saving teaching assures one of remaining on the path of life. Learn from the consequences of the wicked and sinner. To their detriment, they dismiss God’s authority and capacity to rule the world.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.