Psalm 1, along with Psalm 2, is the “gateway” into the whole Psalter. This short didactic (teaching) Psalm contrasts the way of the wicked and the way of the righteous. This is a common theme in the Psalms (as well as Proverbs). The opening word of the Psalm, and therefore the whole Psalter, is “blessed” or “happy.” Happy is the man who does not walk in the way of the wicked, but rather DELIGHTS and meditates in God’s law. Since none of us delights in God’s law in our own sinful nature, we need a new heart that can actually delight in God and in His ways. This is a work of the Holy Spirit which is received through faith in Christ who is the Righteous Man. He is the only one who has never walked in the way of the wicked and all who are in Him are members of the congregation of the righteous, now and forever.