The psalms are more than occasional praise items and they are more than a collection of Old Testament poems. Paul commands believers living in Ephesus and Colosse to use them for edifying one another and says that they are the word of Christ.
When the apostle in those letters equates psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with the word of Christ he must be referring to inspired material and not to songs that believers may compose to describe a situation that they find themselves in, even when they are describing a situation in which God blessed them and others.
Since they are the word of Christ, we can take them as Jesus speaking to us as well as us using them to speak to God. So we should expect Jesus to instruct us clearly from these songs about a wide variety of matters that are suitable, indeed essential, for his people in all periods of time.
The first psalm is an obvious example of a wise person who fears the Lord. What does it say to us as the word of Christ? We can deduce that it describes a Christlike person, a dedicated follower and disciple of the Master. There is a sense in which we should not stop there because the psalm can be used to portray a perfect person. It is not just describing the lifestyle of the saints, it also describes the way that Jesus lived when he was on earth.
So what does the psalm say to us as disciples? We can see a contrast between them and the wicked in that believers find instruction through constant meditation on God’s Word. Whatever comes their way, whether during the day or during the night, they ask what the Bible says about where they are. The wicked respond to their circumstances in other ways, none of which are of value as far as pleasing God is concerned.
The psalm also describes the consequences for disciples paying such attention to God’s Word. They become strong, attractive and consistent, like a flourishing tree. This is the outcome of meditating on the Bible - they become like Jesus. The contrast with the wicked continues in that they don’t last when a storm comes. The Day of Judgement will make that plain for all to see.
Moreover, the psalm tells us that disciples as they meditate on God’s Word experience divine company and scrutiny. God knows what is happening in their lives and is pleased with what he finds. He is there whenever they meditate on the Bible.
What does Jesus say to us from this psalm? If you want spiritual vitality, meditate on the Bible. If you want to be a faithful disciple, meditate on the Bible. If you want the company of God, meditate on the Bible. If you want to stand when everything is crumbling, meditate on the Bible. If you want to keep yourself safe in a world of conflicting and confusing ideas, meditate on the Bible. And when you fail, meditate on what the Bible says about confession and restoration.
