Psalms 1

Psalm 1 contrasts the blessed man with the ungodly. The blessed man avoids evil counsel and delights in the Lord's law, flourishing like a tree by water. Conversely, the ungodly are like chaff, destined to perish and unable to stand in judgment, for the Lord acknowledges the righteous but condemns the wicked.

Psalm 1 opens by declaring the blessedness of the man who shuns the ways of the ungodly, sinners, and scornful. Instead, his profound delight is found in the law of the LORD, upon which he meditates continually. This devotion leads him to a state of enduring prosperity, likened to a tree firmly planted by rivers of water, yielding fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. In stark contrast, the ungodly are depicted as unstable and worthless, like chaff scattered by the wind. Consequently, they will not be able to endure the divine judgment nor find a place within the assembly of the righteous. The psalm concludes by affirming that the LORD intimately knows and approves the path of the righteous, while the way chosen by the ungodly is ultimately destined for destruction.

Psalm 1 begins by articulating the characteristics of a truly blessed individual, emphasizing a clear distinction from those who walk in ungodliness. The blessed man is defined not by what he does, but by what he abstains from: he avoids the counsel of the ungodly, refrains from standing in the path of sinners, and does not associate with the scornful. Instead of seeking guidance from worldly sources, his deepest pleasure and continuous focus are found in the law of the LORD, upon which he meditates day and night. This consistent devotion to divine instruction is presented as the foundation for his flourishing. The psalm vividly illustrates the blessed man's prosperity through the metaphor of a tree planted by rivers of water, which yields its fruit in due season and whose leaves never wither. This imagery conveys not only material success but also spiritual vitality, stability, and enduring fruitfulness in all his endeavors. In stark opposition, the psalm describes the ungodly, who are fundamentally different from the blessed. They are not stable or rooted but are likened to chaff—light, worthless, and easily dispersed by the wind, signifying their lack of substance and ultimate instability. This inherent difference leads to a critical divergence in their ultimate destinies. The ungodly will be unable to stand firm in the day of judgment, nor will they be permitted to gather in the congregation of the righteous. The psalm concludes by revealing the divine principle behind these contrasting fates: the LORD Himself acknowledges and watches over the way of the righteous, ensuring their preservation and blessing. Conversely, the path chosen by the ungodly is one that inevitably leads to ruin and perishing, highlighting the clear and just consequences of their choices.