Follow the One Who Loves Righteousness (Day 244)

A Psalm A Day | Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Psalm 45:1–17

Follow the One Who Loves Righteousness

by Torrie Slaughter

A new month begins.

And with it, we turn our attention to Jehovah Rohi—the LORD my Shepherd.

We have already spent time this year learning about the care of the Shepherd. We have considered the God who watches over His people, provides for them, protects them, and knows exactly what they need.

But perhaps the invitation before us now is different.

It is one thing to know that you have a Shepherd.

It is another thing to follow Him.

Psalm 45 may seem like an unusual place to begin.

This is a royal psalm celebrating a king and his bride. Its language is filled with majesty, righteousness, beauty, honor, and joy. And within its original setting, it likely celebrated the marriage of a Davidic king.

But the New Testament helps us see something more.

Hebrews 1:8–9 directly applies Psalm 45:6–7 to the Son.

That means this Psalm gives us a beautiful place to begin September—not first by asking where God is leading us, but by looking again at the character of the One we are following.

Before You Ask Where, Look at Who

Psalm 45:6–7 declares:

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness.”

The King loves righteousness.

That matters for anyone who wants His guidance.

Sometimes we approach God's leading primarily through questions:

Where should I go?

What should I do?

Which opportunity should I take?

What decision should I make?

Those questions matter.

But Scripture gives us another way to discern direction.

Instead of only asking,

“Where is God leading me?”

we can also ask,

“What kind of person is God's leadership forming me to become?”

Because the Shepherd will never lead contrary to His character.

If He loves righteousness, His leadership will not require you to compromise righteousness.

If He is truthful, He will not guide you through deception.

If He is holy, He will not lead you toward what requires you to abandon holiness.

Before you recognize the path, learn the character of the One leading you.

His Rule Is Not Random

The psalm celebrates a King whose authority is righteous.

His scepter represents His rule.

And His rule is characterized by justice.

That gives us security as we begin learning to follow Jehovah Rohi.

God's leadership isn't impulsive.

He isn't experimenting with your life.

He doesn't suddenly discover something about tomorrow that He didn't know yesterday.

The Shepherd already knows the terrain.

You may encounter something unexpected.

He will not.

You may reach a place you don't understand.

He hasn't lost the path.

And perhaps this is where August's journey with Jehovah Shalom prepares us beautifully for September.

Peace taught us:

I don't have to understand everything God is doing.

Now the Shepherd asks:

Will you follow Me anyway?

The Invitation to Leave What Is Familiar

Then Psalm 45 makes an interesting turn.

The bride is told:

“Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father's house.”
— Psalm 45:10

Within the wedding setting, she is entering a new household and a new future.

But there is a principle worth noticing.

Moving forward sometimes requires releasing what belonged to the former season.

Not everything behind you is evil.

Some things are simply no longer where God is leading you.

And that distinction matters.

We often expect God to ask us to release only obviously harmful things.

But following requires movement.

Sometimes the Shepherd leads us away from what is familiar—not because the familiar was sinful, but because remaining there would prevent us from following Him forward.

That requires trust.

Jehovah Rohi and the First Step

Perhaps we don't need to begin September asking God for the entire route.

Maybe today only requires the first step.

The Shepherd knows where the path leads.

Our responsibility is to remain close enough to follow.

Jesus would later describe His sheep this way:

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Notice the progression.

They hear.

He knows.

They follow.

This month, we are learning what happens when knowing the Shepherd becomes following the Shepherd.

And Psalm 45 gives us an important starting point:

Trust His character before you try to understand His directions.

Today's Micro-Surrender

Today, surrender your demand to know the whole route.

Think about one area where you have repeatedly asked God:

“What are You going to do?”

Change the question.

Ask:

“What are You asking me to do today?”

Then become quiet.

You aren't asking for September's map.

You're listening for today's step.

And if God hasn't given you a new instruction, don't manufacture one.

Sometimes following means continuing faithfully with the last thing He clearly told you to do.

Closing Prayer

Jehovah Rohi, teach me to recognize Your voice and trust Your character. Quiet my need to see the entire path. Show me today's step, and give me grace to follow You faithfully. Amen.

Reflect

Where am I demanding a complete map when God may only be giving me the next step?

Today, I will surrender ____________________________ and trust the Shepherd with what I cannot yet see.

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