Passage:
1 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;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
(Psalm 1:1-6)
Song:
Psalm 1 by Matthew Ellis Freeman and William Spencer Cary
Lyrics:
Vain pursuits
We have turned to our own way
Forgotten the truth
We are satisfied today
When will we turn
Be reminded of your promises to guide
Wandering still
Lead us to the path of blessing you provide
Form us more and more into a people
Who love your word
Cause us to dwell on your truth day and night
Plant us beside the waters that ever flow
Help us to know your word is our delight
Scoffers surround
They mock our source of hope
Sowing doubt
Thoughts too wicked to behold
The seat of the proud
They find joy in robbing fruit that leads to life
Root us down
Keep us grounded in the strength that you provide
You know our way
You hem us in
So here we stand
In righteousness
Prayer:
Blessed Lord, you have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning—grant us that we may in such a way hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them; that by patience and comfort of your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
-The Book of Common Prayer (1552)
