Psalms 1, opinion

[agedman]

How do you take psalms 1, and specifically:

1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.


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Is sitting in my recliner and reading the new and opinions expressed as news a violation?

Is watching the sports programs with commentary by the unsaved a violation?

Is taking the advice and following the directions from a financial advisor a violation?

The three questions above are to be taken as the people are not redeemed, or that their living and lives do not reflect Godliness.

How about one step further?

A godly person gives counsel but has received the training or information from the ungodly, does that ungodliness pollute the information?

How far do you take separation when it comes to the standard of Psalms 1?

 

[canadyjd]

How do you take psalms 1, and specifically:

1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.


​

Is sitting in my recliner and reading the new and opinions expressed as news a violation?

Is watching the sports programs with commentary by the unsaved a violation?

Is taking the advice and following the directions from a financial advisor a violation?

The three questions above are to be taken as the people are not redeemed, or that their living and lives do not reflect Godliness.

How about one step further?

A godly person gives counsel but has received the training or information from the ungodly, does that ungodliness pollute the information?

How far do you take separation when it comes to the standard of Psalms 1?

Seems clear, at least to me, that the psalmist is praising the man who has the discernment to reject the advice or counsel of those who act contrary to God’s laws.

peace to you

 

[Covenanter]

How do you take psalms 1, and specifically:

1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.


​

Is sitting in my recliner and reading the new and opinions expressed as news a violation?

Is watching the sports programs with commentary by the unsaved a violation?

Is taking the advice and following the directions from a financial advisor a violation?

The three questions above are to be taken as the people are not redeemed, or that their living and lives do not reflect Godliness.

How about one step further?

A godly person gives counsel but has received the training or information from the ungodly, does that ungodliness pollute the information?

How far do you take separation when it comes to the standard of Psalms 1?

Are those things a distraction from the LORD's service? As the Anglican Prayer Book puts it -

... we have left undone those things we ought to have done.....
​

 

[Dave G]

How far do you take separation when it comes to the standard of Psalms 1?

Usually I find that when answering the question of "How far is a Christian "required" by God to be separate from this world and it's ways?",
It's always:

1) Hard to adequately define, because it's based on how one understands what the words actually say.
For example, "is rock music wrong for the believer to listen to?"
I'll ask this in reply...
Whose music is it, and who and what does it glorify?

2) When I explain what it means to me ( and how it's changed over the years for me as the Lord gradually got a hold of me about the subject ) most on Christian forums ( and the vast majority of people in churches ) would accuse me of being "radical" for preaching what Paul did in the epistles, for example.
The very same people would probably call me a hypocrite,
especially if they found out how very badly I've messed up things in the "obedience department" when it comes to this subject.

3) Most professing Christians I've met aren't all that concerned with being separate;
They see absolutely nothing wrong with having unbelieving friends, sitting down and partying with them, enjoying the world's entertainment that glorifies violence and illicit sex,...or worse.

I could add more, but I'll answer a few of your questions with what I now believe to be Biblical:

 

[Dave G]

How do you take psalms 1, and specifically:
1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Carefully and seriously, knowing that even 25 years ago this passage ( and many others like it ) wasn't at the forefront of my mind.
In other words, His commands regarding separation have become more important for me over the decades.

Is sitting in my recliner and reading the new and opinions expressed as news a violation?

I would say "no", but I have personally experienced that in the process of watching the news, I find that it grieves my spirit to see what is going on in the world, and what people continue to do to each other.

Is watching the sports programs with commentary by the unsaved a violation?

That's for you to decide.

Myself?
I lost interest in sports roughly 20 years ago, and cannot watch them for more than a few minutes nowadays,
knowing that the entire thing is a product of human pride and competition to "be first", "on top", "the greatest", etc.

I went from being a moderate American football and baseball fan in the 80's and part way through the 90's, to now not wanting to watch any of it.

 

[Dave G]

Is taking the advice and following the directions from a financial advisor a violation?

I would say, "no", as the Lord Himself says quite a bit about money and being a good steward of one's possessions.
As Christians, I see the Bible teaching that we are to use this world, but not to abuse it ( 1 Corinthians 7:31 ).

Make friends with money, but don't get dirty with it or by it;
and don't treat money as anything but a tool to do things by.

How about one step further?

A godly person gives counsel but has received the training or information from the ungodly, does that ungodliness pollute the information?

I suppose that would depend on whether or not that same advice agrees with God's word.
If it does not, then toss it out.

However, I've found that wisdom with money can and does come about by watching how things are done in this world, business-wise,
but not participating to the same extent as the ungodly do.

In other words, I would never cheat someone...
even though I know that people do that every day and make millions by doing it.

Honest and fair business is godly, and Christians should not be overly concerned about wealth, IMO.
After all, it's better to give than to receive.