A Psalm for the New Year

Photo by R. Mark Green

1Happy are those
    who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
    or sit in the seat of scoffers;
2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law they meditate day and night.
3 They are like trees
    planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
    and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
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 watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.

– Psalm One (NRSV)

 A Psalm for the New Year
(Based on Psalm One)

 
As the New Year begins, we all long for a year filled with happiness and joy. True happiness is rooted in having a proper relationship with God and others, rather than in wealth, prestige, or material possessions. For this year to be fulfilling for each of us, it will rely on how much we allow God, through Christ and the Holy Spirit, to live in and through us. We are called to "love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind… and to love our neighbor as ourselves."
          
So, here’s a Psalm for the New Year … (my paraphrase based on Psalm One):
 
     How exceedingly joyful and content are those who do not pattern their lives after the example or advice of people who have no regard for God; nor align themselves with persons bent on rebellion; nor join with those who are negative, unkind, or cruel in their communication.
      But their inner joy and fulfillment come from the promises, truth, and counsel of God’s word. They seek to have a full and meaningful relationship with God through partaking in a continual feast of reflection, meditation, and study of scripture.
      They will be like an evergreen tree planted on the banks of a mountain stream whose roots dip into the cool, refreshing waters as a continual source of life-giving nourishment. These roots also grip firmly to the rocks and boulders on the shore for strength and stability. In the day of adversity, they hold to God’s teachings and find comfort in God’s presence in their lives. They are the ones who will truly be fruitful and productive in all they do.
      Now those who oppose God won’t experience this. Try as they might, they can’t seem to find peace in their souls. They ignore God and will not be able to stand in the day of adversity. Their speech is made up of vain and braggadocios words about themselves. Oh, if they only knew, that no one enjoys listening to them.
      Only those with integrity of heart and those who live a life dedicated to God will enjoy any degree of intimacy with their Creator. But the ungodly will ultimately be defeated, depressed, and destroyed unless they turn to God – the Source of all strength and blessings.

Have a joyous and peace-filled New Year in the Lord!
 
You are loved,
 
Mark