Psalm 1 (antiphon; v.2) – This week’s Psalm is in
harmony with the Psalm which makes up the Introit for this coming week. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the
counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat
of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he
meditates day and night.” The Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord
in the Augsburg Confession says, “The Law
is a mirror in which God’s will and what pleases Him are exactly portrayed.
This mirror should be constantly held up to the believers and be diligently encouraged
for them without ceasing.” (FC SD VI 4)
Luther wrote that the Psalter is the Bible in
miniature. If so, then the opening six verses are the portal leading into a
treasure-house of communion with God. Who is the one who walks not in the
counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners . . . but his delight
is in the law of the Lord and on His Law he meditates day in night? First, it
is Christ. Secondly, it is all of us who have been incorporated into Christ—the
holy Christian Church. The new man, created by Baptism that comes forth daily and
arises to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
Christians Live by Faith in Christ
and Rejoice in the Promise of His Resurrection
“Cursed is the
man who trusts in man,” for all the strength of his flesh is like the grass that
fades away (Jeremiah 17:5). The one who turns away from the Lord may have food
and money and laugh for now, but he “shall mourn and weep” in the
judgment (Luke 6:24–25). But “the man who trusts in the Lord” is blessed with all that he
needs, “like a tree planted by water.” When heat comes, he survives
(Jeremiah 17:7–8). For the Lord has come in the flesh to heal the people of all
their diseases, to cleanse their spirits with forgiveness, and to preach the
Gospel of the kingdom of God to the poor (Luke 6:18–20). As all of this is by
way of His cross, it is solely by faith in the promise of His resurrection that
Christians “rejoice” and “leap for joy” (Luke 6:21–23).
“If Christ has
not been raised,” our faith is in vain and we are most to be pitied (1
Corinthians 15:14–19). But, in fact, just as “Christ died for our sins,”
so has He also “been raised from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:3, 20).[2]
Collect for
Psalm 1: Lord God, in your loving wisdom you have set us beside the foundation of
life, like a tree planted by running streams. Grant that the cross of your Son
may become our tree of life in the paradise of your saints, through Jesus
Christ our Lord.[3]
-08 February 2022
[2] Lectionary Summary provided by the LSMS Commission on Worship
[3] Collect for Psalm 1, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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