What does it mean to be like a tree planted by water (Psalm 1:3; Jeremiah 17:8)?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Both Psalm 1:3 and Jeremiah 17:8 use the illustration of a tree planted by water to explain how faithful men and women live. In each passage, that tree is contrasted with the chaff and tumbleweeds that characterize the life of the wicked. The illustration of the tree planted by water shows that the source of strength of the faithful is not within themselves. Instead, just like a tree only grows fruit when it has strong roots and a ready supply of water, so also faithful men and women only grow spiritually when they are drinking deeply from God’s Word. A related illustration is used in the New Testament. In John 15, Jesus said that believers are fruitful when they abide in Him, much like a branch cannot produce fruit on its own but needs to be attached to the vine. In both illustrations, the source of life is outside the tree and branch. The source of life is always God, and those who stay rooted in Him—through His Word and by abiding in Christ—will flourish with enduring spiritual strength and fruitfulness.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Psalm 1 was written by David. In the first three verses he sets up a contrast between unfaithful and faithful men. He starts by saying that a man should not be like sinners (Psalm 1:1). Instead, he should “delight in the law of the LORD” (Psalm 1:2). If he does, then “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 1:3). What David is saying is that a man who delights himself in God will be like a firmly rooted tree next to water.
• God says something similar in Jeremiah 17. Like David, He starts by saying that a man should not trust in other sinful men (Jeremiah 17:5) because he will be like a tumbleweed (“a bush in the desert,” Jeremiah 17:6). Instead, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:7). He then concludes that that man “will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit” (Jeremiah 17:8). God was saying that a man who trusts in Him will be like a firmly rooted tree next to water.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Though the New Testament does not use the same illustration, it also talks about a believer’s fruit being directly related to his relationship to Jesus. Talking to His disciples about how to bear fruit, Jesus used an illustration of a vineyard. He referred to Himself as “the true vine” (John 15:1). He also said that believers “are the branches” (John 14:5). The branch that “abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit” (John 15:5). In that illustration, Jesus (the vine) was like the water in the other passages. A vine brings nutrients to the branches and is the source of their life. Just like a branch “abides” in a vine by remaining attached to it, believers “abide” in Jesus by listening and obeying Him (John 15:7, 10). When we abide in Him, we are fruitful.
• Jesus also notes that it is impossible to get fruit any other way. Just like a tree removed from water cannot live, so also a branch cannot grow fruit without a vine. Jesus said, “apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The believer’s fruit comes from, first, being saved (being “in Christ”) and then doing what He said (abiding in Him).
• What does Jesus mean by “fruit?” He is talking about the fruit of being more like Him. Paul listed some of the fruit in Galatians. He said, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). Paul calls that fruit, “the fruit of the Spirit,” because Jesus sends His Spirit to dwell in every believer. The Spirit helps us to understand God’s word correctly, allowing us to abide in Jesus and be fruitful.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The imagery of a tree planted by water reveals a strong tree with ongoing access to its source of life—water. Trees planted by water grow to be strong and fruitful; they survive even in seasons of drought. The picture given, then, is a tree that has free access to lifegiving resources, abundance, strength, and protection against dangers. A person faithful to God is said to be like a tree that has abundant life. This is the person who avoids sinful influences, instead delighting in God’s Word. It is the person who trusts in the Lord. The contrast to this is the fruitless, unfaithful men who are like dead and worthless chaff or dried shrubs. Therefore, to be “like a tree planted by water” means to be a faithful man or woman who is deeply rooted in God (His Word). When that is true, he or she will spiritually prosper, being fruitful and useful.

However, although we are promised to be fruitful, living God’s way does not guarantee an easy life. Yet, though seasons of drought inevitably come, deeply rooted trees planted by water need not fear them. If our roots are strong in God’s word, then we can persevere against the fiercest dry wind. We can trust that God is good and that He uses every hardship, not to harm us, but to strengthen our faith and grow us in Christlikeness. Just as fruit ripens through time and pressure, so our lives bear lasting fruit when we remain rooted in Him.

As those wanting to be fruitful, we are called to abide in Jesus. This means we intentionally stay connected to Him through His Word, prayer, obedience, and fellowship with other believers. When we abide in Jesus, we draw our strength, wisdom, and peace from Him rather than relying on ourselves or even the opinions of others. Over time, His Spirit shapes our character and our lives begin to bear fruit that lasts—love, patience, joy, and more. Abiding in Jesus gives us roots in the One who never fails and will use it to cause us to blossom with spiritual fruit.

UNDERSTAND

• A tree planted by water symbolizes a believer rooted in God.
• A tree planted by water thrives, bears fruit, and endures drought because it draws from the source of life.
• We grow strong and fruitful when we stay grounded in God’s truth and presence.

REFLECT

• What are you currently drawing strength from—God’s Word and Spirit, or something else that cannot sustain you in the long run?
• How are you intentionally abiding in Jesus each day, and how is that shaping your spiritual growth?
• How have you seen God sustain you in a “drought season” when life feels hard or uncertain?

ENGAGE

• How does the image of a tree planted by water deepen our understanding of what it means to live a faithful and fruitful life?
• What practical steps can we take together to help one another stay rooted in God and abide in Christ?
• How can we encourage others to endure spiritual droughts, trusting in God as our source of life and growth?