A Prosperous Life - Lesson 2 - Standeth Not

Psalm 1:1-3, ‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.’

Observe a progression in this verse;
standing is more than walking,
and sitting more than standing;

Sinners in scripture use,
are worse than the ungodly,
and the scornful are the worst of sinners.

Today we are looking at standing.

What’s the longest you can stand?
You probably start to fidget.
You might shift your weight from one leg to the other.
You might pace back and forth,
But then you would be walking.

For us to be standing in one place,
We must surely be comfortable.
Are we comfortable when we stand in the way of sinners?
Are you comfortable when you are in the same room?

Can you tolerate certain sins like gossip and gluttony?
But are appalled and offended by other sins like adultery and drinking?

Any comments?





Whoever collected the psalms of David (possibly Ezra)
with good reason put this psalm first,
as a preface to the rest,
because it is absolutely necessary to the acceptance of our devotions
that we be righteous before God
(for it is only the prayer of the upright that is his delight).

Therefore we must be right in our own notions of blessedness
and in our choice of the way that leads to it.
We are not fit to put up good prayers
If we do not walk in good ways.

Lord knows those that are his by name,
but we must know them by their character.

The character of a good man is here given
by the rules he chooses to walk by
and to take his measures from.
If we are right in this area,
we are in a fair way to do well.


He stands not in the way of sinners;
he avoids doing as they do;
their way shall not be his way;
he will not come into it,
much less will he continue in it,
as the sinner does,
who sets himself in a way that is not good,

Psalm 36:4, ‘He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.’

He seeks the silent and undisturbed watches of the night, in order to fix his plans of wickedness.

As the man that fears God communes with his heart upon his bed, that he may not sin, no, not in his heart; so the man that fears not God, devises how he may plot and perform sin willingly.
- David Dickson.

What are we to do?

He avoids (as much as may be) being where they are.
That he may not imitate them,
he will not associate with them,
nor choose them for his companions.
He does not stand in their way, to be picked up by them (


Proverbs 7:8, ‘Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,’

Shouldn’t we treat these people like they have the plague?
And keep as far from them for fear of becoming infected?

Spurgeon says of this verse, ‘He had better have gone miles round than pass the spot.’


Proverbs 4:14-15, ‘’Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.’

He that would be kept from harm must keep out of harm's way.

Pastor Duke also taught me to make my decisions in strength so I don’t have to in weakness.

Avoid all temptations to the beginning of evil.


Psalm 26:12, ‘My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.’

Even place; on firm, solid ground.
It’s kind of hard to trip and stumble when you are standing on that even ground.

Congregations-I will not only privately praise the Lord,
but in front of others.
Do we truly praise Him in front of others?
Do we leave some of the credit to be gobbled up for ourselves?


Romans 5:2, ‘By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.’

Grace is here presented as a field into which we have been introduced
and where we stand
and we should enjoy all the privileges of this grace about us.

Are we rejoicing, or are we complaining about the bugs in the field?
Are we complaining that the sun is too bright?
Are we complaining that the wind is too strong?

Ephesians 6:13, ‘Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’

And having done all, to stand-
That ye may still keep on your armour,
still stand upon your guard,
still watch and pray;
and thus ye will be enabled to endure unto the end,
and stand with joy before the face of God.

To stand.
To stand the assault,
and to stand victorious,
when it is beaten back.

he standeth not in the way of sinners.
Although a sinner himself,
he is now a blood washed sinner,
quickened by the Holy Spirit,
and renewed in heart.


The three parts again

The ungodly man has his counsel.
The sinner has his way; and
The scorner has his seat.

We are to beware, (1) of the opinions,
(2) of the practical life, and
(3) of the company and association of sinful men.

We need to remember to meditate upon the Word to assist us in keeping remote from these three evils. We need to go to Him quickly in prayer. We need to surround ourselves of people stronger than ourselves or certainly of a like mind.

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