⁴ The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
⁶ For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.

Here we read of the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, the believing and the unbelieving, the sinner and the sinner saved by grace.  We are instructed not to walk, stand or sit in the counsel of the wicked, sinners or scoffers.  That is to say that our lives should not be guided by worldly philosophy (1 Corinthians 1:18 – 2:16), but rather we are to be immersed in the Word of God so it is at the forefront of our minds in all aspects of life, at all times.  God’s word in our hearts will give us durability in the trials of life.  Notice that being a tree firmly planted by Streams of Water is contrasted with unbelievers who are easily blown away by the winds of life (v.4).

The Streams of Water is the Spirit of God who sustains us and yields fruit in its season and its leaves do not wither.  Two things of note is that fruit is produced in season, but out of season we are to stand firm, being faithful and God will bring us through to the fruitful season.  Being out of season with no fruit to speak of can be discouraging, feel lonely, perhaps even feel distant from God, but this is why we walk by faith, not be feelings.  Jesus said that we cannot do anything on our own and we are fruitful when we abide in Him (John 15:4-5), that is when we are firmly rooted in His word (v.2) and by His Spirit, in communion with Him (v.3).

The counsel of the wicked may provide a temporary solution, make you feel better about yourself or your circumstances, or provide some sort of human formula in which you transfer your trust from God to yourself, but these are all leaves that will wither.  A tree can look very healthy, green and leafy, and the world will love its shade, but it has no fruit and those green leaves will wither and fall (v.4-6).  Therefore, meditate on His word day and night and you will be a strong tree, firmly rooted in season and out, enduring the winds of life and producing fruit at the appointed time!  The Lord knows your circumstances (v.6) and declares righteous those who abide in His word, all others are counted as wicked in the eyes of the Lord (v.6).  To me, this says that God takes a very high view of His word and I think we should too because when we don’t, we lack trust in Him, we question His character, we question His integrity, we doubt His goodness and intentionally or not, we place our faith in the counsel of the wicked.