"Walk – stand – sit" is a sequence that pictures a progression from a careless association with the wicked to complete identification with them. It is the progression to perdition, the highway to hell. Acting on foolish impulses, cultivating a rebellious mindset, and more fully identifying with those who mock, blame, and ridicule God’s people. They start by listening to their counsel, and then they are soon walking along the same path, and then finally they are making their home there among the ungodly.
The blessed man is a contrast. He is described by what he avoids, and in so doing we see what he follows after instead. This person whose “delight is in the law of the Lord” does not mean someone who is excited about study only. This is not mere study because the context in these verses is one of actions. The NET translates verse 2 as “Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the LORD's commands; he meditates on his commands day and night.” He loves to do God’s will and he thinks about how he can do it. He wants to follow the advice of the right directed crowds, walk the right pathway, live among the godly. He wants to be trained and restrained by the Word of God (Proverbs 29:18) so that he will have a plan for his life (Romans 16:25-26). These aren’t mere words for him (Ezra 7:10 / Proverbs 29:19).
We cannot say that we shouldn’t have unbelievers as friends and acquaintances or that we can’t work for them and live among them at all. However, when they are affecting you more than you are affecting them, it is time to pull away. If you can’t change your friends, it’s time to change friends. In light of this Psalm, which way are you going?
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