The Olive Tree

1Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3)

I was reading Psalm 1:1-3, and verse 3 jumped out at me. I began to wonder what type of tree King David was referring to in this scripture. I started researching common trees mentioned throughout scripture. And one tree jumped out at me compared to all the others, the olive tree.

The characteristics of the tree are rather interesting. Olive trees are drought-tolerant, meaning they can survive long periods without water. Olive trees are also evergreen, meaning their leaves always stay green. They are known for their longevity and resilience; they can live for hundreds of years, and on top of that, they are symbolic of the Lord’s restoration and His divine judgment. Romans 11:17-24 details how Gentiles were the wild olive branch who were grafted into God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ.

17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

But what does all this have to do with Psalm 1:1-3, you may ask. From my studies, I deduced King David may be referencing the olive tree since the tree is indigenous to the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Africa. In other words, the olive tree was common and often used in Israeli culture, from mundane tasks like cooking to spiritual worship. King David was describing a person who delights in God’s Word and how they will have characteristics like this tree. I realized I wanted to have those same characteristics. 

I love this verse of scripture. Although it’s only a couple of verses, it says it all. We who are in Christ are called to have endurance and bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. Just like this tree, it bears fruit (olives) and remains fruitful no matter if it is in seasons of heat, drought [trials], or abundance. Simply put, it is living its purpose regardless of the season or hardship it faces.

I will leave you with this. In Psalm 52:8, King David says But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I pray that we, too will be like a green olive tree planted in our Father’s house, bearing abundance no matter the season we are in.

Go in peace, Beloved <3.