(Psalm 1:2)  “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

The object of the Psalmist’s delight is “in the law of the LORD,” and the same is the object of the Psalmist’s meditation. Meditation is defined as (1) “To contemplate; to ponder” (Webster). Synonyms for the word meditation are: consider, ponder, mull, and study. Not only did the Psalmist say his “delight,” or his joy, was in the “law of the LORD”; he goes on to write, “in his law doth he meditate day and night.” That is, his mind is completely focused on Christ and His Commandments. The writer of this Psalm makes it very clear that his entire body, soul and spirit was consumed in “the law of the LORD,” or in the Love of God. The Psalmist loved God supremely. God was his Master, Lord and Savior.

What is “the law of the LORD”? The answer to the question is found in (Psalm 19:7-11) where the Psalmist uses the words: testimony, statutes, commandments, fear, and judgments as synonyms for the phrase: “law of the LORD.” The Psalmist then proceeds to define the “law of the LORD” as “perfect…sure…right…pure…clean… true and righteous”

1. “The law of the LORD is perfect”
2. “The testimony of the LORD is sure”
3. “The statutes of the LORD are right”
4. “The commandment of the LORD is pure”
5. “The fear of the LORD is clean”
6. “The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous”

The Psalmist revealed in (Psalm 1:2) that his delight (or joy) and his meditation (or contemplation) were in “the law of the LORD.” But why did the Psalmist make “the law of the LORD” his delight and meditation? The answer is: Because God gives His children an understanding of the Value of Christ in the believer and of the believer in Him. As the believer “abides” in Christ in body, soul and spirit daily; as the believer hungers and thirsts after righteousness, peace, love, mercy and grace – the believer knows the results of such; for these results are (Psalm 19:7-11):

1. “Converting the soul” (that is daily the believer is conformed to the image of Christ)
2. “Making wise the simple” (daily the believer is given wisdom from above)
3. “Rejoicing the heart” (daily the believer’s knowledge increasing of Who God is to him and this knowledge issues in praise to God for His Salvation in Christ)
4. “Enlightening the eyes” (daily the believer is given an understanding of the Word of God; which gives the believer a greater perception of the truth; which in turn makes the believer free)
5. “Enduring for ever” (that is the believer shall never fail because of the Promises of God)
6. “True and righteous altogether” (in Christ is truth and righteousness completely; wherein is the believer’s justification)
7. “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold” (Christ is more valuable to the believer than any earthly riches)
8. “Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (there is nothing sweeter than Christ’s fellowship)
9. “By them is thy servant warned (His Word warns the believer of the cliff ahead)
10. “Keeping of them there is great reward” (the reward at the end of the journey will be a crown of Righteousness for all eternity in the presence of the Lamb of God)

The Psalmist is not teaching to “do” to get the “blessings of God”; but, the “doing” will be because Christ lives in the believer. He is teaching the believer to have his mind, soul and body stayed on Christ. That is, the believer is to “love” Christ above all things:

(Mat 22:37-40) (37) “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (38) This is the first and great commandment. (39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

When a person’s first love is Christ; then, that person will separate from this world’s philosophy of the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and the pride of life. His obedience will not come from the flesh to project his works as the reason; but, his obedience will flow from the love of God implanted in him by the Holy Spirit of God. When obedience flows from the flesh (the old man), it comes from the pride of man and not from the love of God. But, when obedience comes from the love of God; then, God is honored and glorified, and the believer is edified and rewarded. A person cannot give himself an appetite for Christ, or as the Psalmist says, for “the law of the LORD.”

When examining yourself as to your first love, ask yourself: (a) Who or what is your delight? and (b) What or Who is the object of your meditation?

Child of God, always remember – you follow, or obey, not to get; but because you have (that is, you have Christ living and abiding in you). The Origin of all service that is honorable to God is God Himself in you, and not the flesh trying to impress God and others. The delight in Christ and the meditation on Christ comes from the New Man (the New Creation; the regenerated spirit; Eph. 4:24) and not from the Old Man (which is the flesh; Eph. 4:22). When your delight is Christ, and when your meditation is Christ – then, your fruits will be a witness of Him living and abiding in you.