Psalms 1
BOOK 1: Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked
First Book of the Psalms1
Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked,nor stand on the path of sinners,nor sit in the seat of scoffers;
2
but his delight is in The LORD's law.On his law he meditates day and night.
3
He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water,that produces its fruit in its season,whose leaf also does not wither.Whatever he does shall prosper.
4
The wicked are not so,but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5
Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment,nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,but the way of the wicked shall perish.
Ps 1:1-6. 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--literally, "oh, the happiness"--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--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).