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Psalm 1 invites us to reclaim our lives by paying attention to the habits that quietly shape us each day. Life is not formed by one defining decision but by the paths we walk over time. The psalm sets before us two ways of living: one rooted in God’s life-giving wisdom and another shaped by influences that slowly drain our attention, peace, and joy. The blessed life is shaped not just by our actions, but by where we are planted and what, or rather who, we orient our lives around.

At the heart of Psalm 1 is the image of a tree planted by streams of water. This picture reminds us that a flourishing life doesn’t happen by accident or overnight. It is the result of being intentionally rooted in a steady source of nourishment. Faithful lives are reclaimed through daily rhythms that keep us close to God’s sustaining presence. What we give our attention to, again and again, is what shapes who we become.

Psalm 1 reminds us that flourishing is not about trying harder, but about being planted wisely. Where we begin our day matters, because where we are planted determines what kind of life—and fruit—we will bear.