Psalm 1:4-5
4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
The first 3 verses of Psalm 1 tell us about the blessed man, and they highlight 3 things about his life. What he does not do, what he does and what he becomes because of what he does. The fourth verse tells us that it is not so for the ungodly, meaning that they are not like a tree that is planted by the rivers of water, their leaves wither, and they do not bring their fruit in season. In fact, the only fruit they bring forth is ungodly and wicked.
The ungodly are like chaff that the wind blows away, what a contrast when you consider that the righteous man is likened to a tree. The ungodly have no stability, when the winds and the storms of life come, they are easily blown away like chaff. Every so often it seems like the ungodly are prospering and all is well with them, but this Psalm reminds us that things are not as they seem because the ungodly are not as stable as they may seem, looks can be deceiving.
The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. This tells us two things. First it points us to a day of judgment, and it reminds us that no matter how good things may seem for one who is unrighteous, there is a day that is coming, a day of judgment, and he will not be able to stand on that day because they lack weight. They will be found wanting on that day. In Psalm 73 we see Asaph envy the arrogant and the prosperity of the wicked until he goes to the house of the Lord, and he saw their end. They are on slippery ground, and they will be cast down to ruin.
We are also informed that there will be a congregation of the righteous. A congregation is simply a gathering. Remember, Jesus talked of a day when there will be a separation of the sheep from the goats. The ungodly will have no place in the congregation of the righteous.
This serves as a warning as well to those who are living a life that is not godly to change and embrace the gift of salvation and righteousness from God because if they do not, then they will not stand in the day of Judgment.
Reflections
Do you sometimes find yourself envying the wicked, why?
What is the main lesson you pick from Psalm 1:4?
What is your responsibility towards the wicked as a believer?
