Welcome to Promises in the Psalms—a devotional series purposed to glean the great promises of God from Israel’s book of worship. In this collection of prayers, songs, laments, and crying out to God, we will find rich promises to form the foundation of our journey. Let’s begin with the first psalm to ascertain where the believer’s delight is found.

Psalm 1
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Someone has said that every person should live a life that demands an explanation. A person whose heart has been transformed by Jesus demonstrates a refreshing difference that causes people to ask, “What’s up with that?” The book of Psalms begins with the two paths that a person can take—the true path that leads to reward or the easy path that leads to an eternal dead-end.

Those on the crowd-pleasing path live with no purpose. They are like chaff that is blown away by the wind. People on this path may seem to prosper, but in the end, this way leads to eternal destruction.

The person on the path built by God’s promises discovers overflowing joy in him. They are grounded in the Word—the place where God’s promises are found. They think about these eternal promises throughout the day. They journey with people headed in the same direction. They seek counsel from those who reinforce the truth of God’s Word. This results in a stable life with deep roots that produces abundant fruit and experiences God’s blessings. Obedience opens our eyes to see the great promises of God.

Father, as we begin this journey through the Psalms, show us clearly what path we are on. Help us determine in the depths of our hearts if we have trusted in Jesus alone as the only way to you. Help us see evidence of the new life that you have given. Help us know that we belong to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.