Give life

A little colorful tree, as newest addition to our yard, now adorns the front of our house. We watered it lavishly after planting. Thinking of water and trees and life, Psalm 1 came to mind.

How blessed is the (wo)man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, 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. Psalm 1:1-3

I especially like and am soothed as I ponder the paraphrase of these verses offered as prayer by Nan Merrill, who writes:

“Blessed are those who walk hand in hand with goodness, who stand beside virtue,
who sit in the seat of truth;
For their delight is in the Spirit of Love, and in Love’s heart they dwell day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water, that yield fruit in due season, and their leaves flourish;
and in all that they do, they give life.”