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Book of Psalms


Psalm 1


King James Version

1 Blessed 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.1

Bible Commentary
1 The Book of Psalms opens with a benediction, even as did the famous Sermon of our Lord upon the Mount.3 The Hebrew word 'ashre is sometimes translated in the Psalms as blessed and other times happy. Happiness comprehends material and spiritual blessings, both which come as a result of following God's way.The word blessed used in the beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount is a translation of the same word. The godly man's life is first described in negatives. He avoids associating with evildoers, such as those who lack moral fibre and wilfully and persistently violate God's commands. He will not be found in the company of those who deliberately choose evil and find pleasure in exercising their baleful influence on others.2
2 The life of the godly is now described by positives. The godly man finds constant pleasure in reflecting on God's law. His study of God's law is habitual and regular; it is not tedious. There is no better way to fill the hours of a sleepless night than by meditating on God's word.2
3 In the figure of fruit bearing tree (not merely an ornamental tree) the psalmist shows the results of the godly life. The godly is blessed in three ways. First he lives a useful life, producing the fruits of the spirit. Secondly he is perennially fresh and vigorous. And thirdly he ultimately succeeds in his endeavours. As the tree is rooted in the solid earth and draws its moisture from the ever-flowing stream, so the godly man sends his roots and derives sustenance from the water springs of salvation. He is steadfast, fixed and anchored. Thus, though he may be assailed by trouble and temptation, he stands firm; and the greater the trial, the deeper the root, and the stronger his hold on God. In whatever enterprise the good man engages, he prospers. Regardless of the success or failure of the undertaking, his trust in God empowers him to draw life from the eternal Source and ultimately to reach his goal.2

4 In the figure of the chaff, the psalmist shows the result of a life of wickedness. In contrast to a tree, the chaff has no root, no fixed place. Dead, dry, helpless, it is at the mercy of the elements. The ungodly are attached to nothing; they lack stability and cannot endure. There is a paradox in the use of the two figures of speech. Outwardly, the tree appears to be held prisoner; in reality it is free, grows and bears fruit. Outwardly, the chaff appears to be free; in reality, it is a slave to environment. The Christian, attached to God, his source of life and strength, grows and produces fruit; the chaff, unattached, cut off from its source of strength, produces nothing. It has a freedom not worth possessing. Compare Jesus' figure of the two houses in Matt. 7:24-27.2
5 In the day of judgment the wicked will be separated from the righteous at the end of their respective ways.2
6 God concerns Himself with the righteous. Therefore, they prosper. The last verse of the psalm gives the final reason for the different endings of the two ways. Since God knows, He discriminates, and He approves or condemns according to the eternal standards.2

References and notes
1. King James Authorized Version
2. SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 3 pgs. 630-632
3. Charles H. Spurgeon, "The Treasury of David" - http://bible. crosswalk.com/ Commentaries
4. Greg Herrick , Ph.D. Biblical Studies Foundation - www.bible.org /docs/ splife/ sm-niv/sm03 .htm

SONG PREVIEW

Click on play button for song preview of Psalm 1. Psalm 1 was composed in 1983 and features on the CD album Sing Psalms unto Him and DVD album The LORD is my Shepherd.

 

TITLE OF PSALM 1

Because of the absence of title or other superscription, and the consequent absence of an external clue as to authorship or occasion of writing, the psalm is known as an orphan psalm.



WISDOM PSALM

Psalm 1 is remarkably similar to Proverbs in form and content. We find in this Psalm the "two ways" which are so prominent in Proverbs. The similarity of this Psalm to the book of Proverbs marks it out as one of several unique Psalms which have been classified as "wisdom Psalms." 4



INTRODUCTION TO PSALTER

Psalms 1 and 2, not being part of the five books proper, stand at the front of the Psalter as an introduction to Israel's worship songs. It seems that there is some evidence from both Jewish and Christian sources to indicate that Psalm 1 and 2, though distinct compositions in their own right, were at some time in the past joined together, and stood as the first psalm of the Psalter.4



 

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