By Streams of Water

Have you ever thought about how the book of Psalms begins? Look at how we’re introduced to the book in chapter 1. The very first psalm we read in this momentous book tells us who a blessed man is, how he lives, and what his relationship to God is. Here in Psalm 1, we’re given a brief glimpse, an overview, of all of Psalms!

As you think about reading the Bible during 2026, look at what Psalm 1 says about the man who is blessed and God’s Word.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of Yahweh,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

–

The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not rise in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 1 LSB

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Being like that tree in verse 3, firmly planted by streams of water yielding fruit without withering, is the result of delighting, thinking through, and living out God’s Word.

As you think about reading the Bible in the coming year, I found some advice I think are helpful guideposts to get started. The first is from Don Green who is a pastor at Truth Community Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Yesterday in a Facebook post he suggested that if you’re not sure where to start reading the Bible, begin with Psalm 1, Psalm 19, and Psalm 119.

“Take Psalm 1, Psalm 19, and Psalm 119 and make those the repeated portions of your reading over the next month or so.

“Read through all three at your own pace, then start over and do it again, and then again. All three of those Psalms are about the Word of God. That simple reading plan will saturate your mind with what Scripture says about itself…

“Those three Psalms will fill your mind with what Scripture is, what Scripture does, and what Scripture requires.”

You can read his encouraging post here. His thoughts are from his sermon you can watch here. A transcript is also available.

At Ligonier Ministries you can read, “Get a Basic Overview of the Bible,” by R. C. Sproul. He does mention while we want to read a letter from God, “the Bible is a pretty big letter, and its sheer bulk is somewhat daunting, even to the person with the best of intentions.” He gave suggestions on books to read from the Old Testament and the New Testament to help you gain an overview of the Bible.

May the Lord encourage you and bless you through His Word.