Psalms 1 KJV
The Way of the Righteous
About This Psalm
A tale of two paths - the blessed life of following God versus the empty life of following the crowd. Think of it as the Bible's opening thesis statement.
1lessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
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Did You Know?
The 'gateway psalm' - placed first as an introduction to the entire Psalter
Three progressions of sin: walking, standing, sitting - each more settled than the last
The blessed man is compared to a tree - rooted, fruitful, enduring
The wicked are compared to chaff - rootless, fruitless, blown away
Only two paths exist in this psalm - no middle ground
Commentary & Study Notes Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871) ยท Public Domain Blessed โ literally, "oh, the happiness" โ an exclamation of strong emotion, as if resulting from reflecting on the subject. The use of the plural may denote fulness and variety (2โฆ
Classic verse-by-verse commentary on Psalms 1 from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown (1871). Covers: The character and condition, and the present and future destiny, of the pious and the wicked are described and contrasted, teaching that true piety is the source of ultimate happiness, and sin of misery. As this is a summary of the teachings of the whole book, this psalm, whether designedly so placed or not, forms a suitable preface.
- 1
- Blessed โ literally, "oh, the happiness" โ an exclamation of strong emotion, as if resulting from reflecting on the subject. The use of the plural may denote fulness and variety (2Ch 9:7). counsel... way... seat โ With their corresponding verbs, mark gradations of evil, as acting on the principles, cultivating the society, and permanently conforming to the conduct of the wicked, who are described by three terms, of which the last is indicative of the boldest impiety (compare Ps 26:4, 5; Jer 15:17).
- 2
- law โ all of God's word then written, especially the books of Moses (compare Ps 119:1, 55, 97, &c.).
Read all 6 notes on Psalms 1 โ