In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. On the third day He created fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with seed in them (Genesis 1:11). The cycle of a fruit tree is the model for this lesson. A tree bears fruit, which has seeds within the fruit; seeds planted and nurtured become trees, which bear fruit, which have seeds within the fruit, and the cycle continues.
The first three of the seven "D"s of Psalm 1 refer to cycles of life: Disposition, Dedication and Deeds.
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! -Psalm 1:1
The psalmist here describes for us a cycle of living in which righteous people do not take a part. This downward cycle begins with an unrighteous deed (walking in the counsel of the wicked), continues downward with an unrighteous dedication (standing in the path of sinners), and ends with unrighteous disposition (sitting in the seat of scoffers). An unrighteous deed leads to an unrighteous dedication, which in turn strengthens an unrighteous disposition, leading to even worse deeds, and the cycle continues. In other words, walking in the counsel of the wicked leads to standing in the path of sinners, which in turn strengthens sitting in the seat of scoffers, leading to a stronger stride in the counsel of the wicked, and the cycle continues. Once we become aware of our actions, we are partakers in this cycle; it is our nature. The psalmist says you are blessed if you do not partake in this cycle.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree [firmly] planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. -Psalm 1:2, 3
Here we see an alternative cycle, the cycle of the righteous. This cycle begins where the cycle of the unrighteous ends, with disposition. The cycle of the righteous begins with a righteous disposition, that of having delight in the law of the LORD, in the recognition of God's law of love as the path of life. This righteous disposition leads to a righteous dedication, which is meditation on God's law day and night. Have you ever meditated on anything day and night? If you do, you will become quite familiar with the subject, whatever it may be. This righteous dedication then leads to righteous deeds. The psalmist says the righteous person will be like a good tree, yielding its fruit in its season. These righteous deeds then strengthens an even more righteous disposition; the person in this cycle will be even more delighted in the law of the LORD.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but they are like the chaff which the wind drives away." -Psalm 1:3, 4
Here we go on to the fourth "D" found in Psalm 1. The derivatives of each of these cycles are contrasted here in verses 3 and 4. The derivative of the righteous cycle is fruit which is good. The derivative of the cycle of the wicked is found to be chaff which is not good, that is here today and gone tomorrow.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. -Psalm 1:5, 6
The fifth "D" is destination. The sixth "D" is the destination of the wicked: destruction. For all who are on the downward cycle of the wicked, the destination is destruction; it doesn't happen immediately, and the person is not a victim of the wrath of God. These cycles happen slowly over time. The wicked have opportunities at every point in the cycle to turn around, or repent, and start living in a righteous cycle. The only way to do this is with God's help, through Jesus Christ, who is God, and God's own unique Son.
The seventh "D" is also found here. The seventh "D" is the destination of the righteous: deliverance. For all who do make that turnaround through Jesus from the cycle of wickedness to the cycle of righteousness, there is here in verse 6 reassurance, because the psalmist clearly states that "...the LORD knows the way of the righteous...".
back to "Love: Beyond Biochemistry" lesson
back to "SAPPP From The Life Tree" main page
back to "For Christ's Sake!" main page