Blessings for a New Year

Meditating and Praying Psalm 1 is how I start each new month and, consequently, each new year. It is good news of blessing and bliss (which is the Hebrew word for “blessed” means — literally an exclamation, “O the happinesses!”) for all those who love the Lord and walk in His ways.

Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

(Psalm 1:1-3)

Psalm 112 also seems an appropriate one to pray and believe, considering all that is going on around us. It begins:

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
Who delights greatly in His commandments. (v. 1)

Let us count the ways such a one is blessed:

• His descendants will be mighty on earth (v. 2).
• The generation of the upright will be blessed (v. 2).
• Wealth and riches will be in his house (v. 3).
• And his righteousness endures forever (v. 3).
• Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness (v. 4).
• He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous (v. 4).
• A good man deals graciously and lends (v. 5).
• He will guide his affairs with discretion (v. 5).
• Surely he will never be shaken (v. 6).
• The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance (v. 6).
• He will not be afraid of evil tidings (v. 7).
• His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord (v. 7).
• His heart is established (v. 8).
• He will not be afraid (v. 8).
• He will see his desire upon his enemies (v. 8).
• He has dispersed abroad, he has given to the poor (v. 9).
• His righteousness endures forever (v. 9).
• His horn will be exalted with honor (v. 9).

For those who know the Lord, there is no reason to fear and every reason to rejoice. This new year holds wonderful things for you. Lay hold of them by faith. Instead of meditating on the dour forecasts of the world, let the promises of God fill your mind, your mouth and your heart.