“Like a Tree”

A previous article on this website helpfully outlined the day in the life of a righteous man. To follow that thread, Psalm 1 gives the description of a righteous man. I love the illustration – “he shall be like a tree”!

How so? What are the common features of a righteous man and a tree?

Firstly, he is standing like a tree. He shall be “like a tree planted” (verse 3). Here is a man who is rooted, grounded, and standing tall – but it matters where. We are told in verse 1 that he is not situated amongst the ungodly, sinners, and wicked; whether by walking in the same direction, standing in the same circle, or sitting in the same gathering. I think of Christ; His company with sinners was never to condone or encourage their behaviour, but rather to expose and save them. His roots weren’t planted to stay. His purpose here was for something else – to do the Will of the Father, which meant to serve, suffer, and then be glorified. And He stands like a tree, separate and single apart from all others. The Shulamite bride could say “as the apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons”(Song of Solomon 2:3). As we consider the only truly righteous Man, does it convict us to be boldly standing separated and apart from the world?

Secondly, he is supplied like a tree. The righteous man is “planted by rivers of water”. Strength must come from a source, and “his delight shall be in the law of the LORD, and in His law doth he meditate day and night” (verse 2). We remember Christ’s pathway on earth, often marked by communion alone with His Father. Before every day and decision, the Father’s face and help was sought. His words were from the Father (John 12:49). His works were of the Father (John 14:10). His strength came from the Father (John 4:34). His Will was aligned with the Father (Matthew 26:42). 

Are we refreshing ourselves with these channels? Do we enjoy time with God, abiding in His Word? Are we sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit? A tree that drinks the supply that’s given to it will thrive.

It challenges me that if the sinless and holy One required this supply, how much more so we!

Thirdly, he is stable like a tree.

What a contrast to the ungodly, who are only like “the chaff which the wind driveth away” (verse 4). A righteous man is not swayed easily, or swept away by the slightest breeze, following this whim or that. No, like a tree that has stood for years facing every storm and seeing every season, “his leaf shall not wither”. Again, Christ is the perfect example. He showed no signs of dryness or withering, He was always fresh and evergreen. Satan tempted, sceptics tested, soldiers taunted, the storm tormented, yet He faced every attack and stood firm. He did not fail once. Unshaken and unmovable “like a tree”. 

How do we compare? Are we fazed by trials, or, like Christ, are we “able to withstand” (Ephesians 6:13)? Do we buckle under pressure like the disciples, or do we be brave “like men‘’ (1 Corinthians 15:13)? It’s natural for us to bend, but a righteous man won’t break.

Finally, he is successful like a tree.

Some people keep trees for beauty or environmental reasons, but the most rewarding and beneficial aspect of a tree is fruit. A righteous man “bringeth forth his fruit in his season”, and “whatsoever he doeth shall prosper”. 

The Lord looks for fruit in us. He said to His disciples “herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit” (John 15:8). To an onlooker, the Lord’s time on earth did not exactly scream “success”. What good could come out of the dry ground of Nazareth? What glory was there in being the son of a controversial carpenter? What esteem was there in wandering the desert with no place to call home, with a mix of fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots? What honour was there hanging on a cross in shame among transgressors? Ah, but what glory and pleasure He brought the Father. There was no beauty that they desired Him (Isaiah 53:2), but “He shall see His seed … He shall be satisfied … and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand” (Isaiah 53:10,11). The world sees no hope of success from our little lives and feeble service, but the result is weighed only by God.

As the Psalm closes, we are encouraged that “the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous” (verse 6), just as a “good tree… is known by his own fruit” (Luke 6:33,34). May each one of us have God’s help to be a righteous man – to “be like a tree”.