Lectionary 23 Year C - Psalm 1

Psalm 1

The law of the Lord, likened to water by which trees are planted and so thrive, is not to be understood as simply obeying the commandments. Even the wicked can obey a law. No. The law of the Lord is the love of the Lord. And the love of the Lord is mercy not sacrifice. (Hosea 6:6) The advice of the wicked and the path that sinners tread scoffs at those whose delight is to live what the Lord desires; mercy, not sacrifice. Sacrifice is living the letter of the law and anyone with an ounce of self-discipline can do that. Mercy is living the spirit of the law and that cannot happen apart from the stream of living water that flows from the perfect law of love. That way cannot fail and will not disappoint. When living the law is loving the Lord then there are not enough hours in the day to meditate on the Lord who delights in us as much we delight in Him.