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Psalm 1

Psalm 1 (World English Bible Version)

1 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 Yahweh’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 Yahweh knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked shall perish.

Background and Related Details of Psalm 1

Psalm 1 serves as the introduction to the entire Book of Psalms. It is a wisdom psalm, not a prayer or lament, and lays out a moral framework that contrasts the life of the righteous with that of the wicked. It establishes a foundational theme: there are two paths in life, and only one leads to blessing.

Structure:

  • Verses 1–3: The character and reward of the righteous.
  • Verses 4–6: The emptiness and eventual judgment of the wicked.

Key Themes:

  • Blessedness: The opening word (“Blessed”) implies divine favor, joy, and spiritual well-being.
  • Separation from Sin: The righteous avoid not only sinful behavior but also the company and influence of the ungodly.
  • Delight in the Law: The righteous are defined by their love for God’s Word. Meditation is not merely reading—it is internalizing and reflecting on God’s truth constantly.
  • The Tree Metaphor: The imagery of a fruitful tree by water suggests stability, nourishment, and endurance.
  • Chaff Imagery: Chaff is the useless husk separated from grain. This metaphor portrays the wicked as rootless, weightless, and easily swept away.
  • Judgment: The psalm concludes with a reference to divine judgment, emphasizing that Yahweh watches over the righteous but allows the wicked to follow a path of destruction.

Historical Context:

  • In ancient Israel, wisdom literature (like Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes) often used clear contrasts to teach moral lessons.
  • The “law of the LORD” refers to the Torah, God’s revealed instruction to His people.

Theological Significance:

  • Psalm 1 introduces the entire Psalter with a call to choose God’s way, presenting the life of faith as fruitful and blessed, while rebellion is empty and perishable.
  • It points forward to the idea of judgment and ultimate accountability before God.
A Prayer Inspired by Psalm 1

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for showing me the path of righteousness. Help me to walk not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit among the scoffers.
Let Your Word be my joy and meditation, day and night. Root me like a tree beside Your living water, that I may bear fruit in every season and never wither.
Keep me from the path that leads to destruction, and watch over me in Your mercy and grace. Let my life reflect the blessing of one who delights in You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Five Questions to Test Understanding of Psalm 1
  1. What does it mean to be “blessed” according to Psalm 1, and how is the blessed person described?
  2. How does Psalm 1 describe the relationship between the righteous person and God’s law?
  3. What does the tree planted by streams of water symbolize in verse 3?
  4. What imagery is used to describe the wicked, and what does it suggest about their future?
  5. What contrast does Psalm 1 make about the final destiny of the righteous versus the wicked?
Is Psalm 1 Referenced in the New Testament?

Psalm 1 is not directly quoted in the New Testament, but its themes are deeply woven into New Testament teachings:

  • Matthew 7:13–14 – Jesus speaks of the narrow and broad ways, reflecting the two paths of Psalm 1.
  • John 15:1–8 – Jesus describes His followers as branches abiding in Him to bear fruit, echoing the image of the tree.
  • Matthew 3:12 – John the Baptist uses the image of chaff to describe the wicked, directly paralleling Psalm 1:4.
  • Revelation 20:12–15 – Judgment scenes where the righteous and wicked are separated mirror the psalm’s conclusion.

Thus, while Psalm 1 is not cited verbatim, it is foundational to biblical thought and deeply influential in how the New Testament presents the life of faith and the reality of judgment.

Answers to the Five Questions
  1. Being “blessed” in Psalm 1 means living under God’s favor. The blessed person avoids sinful influences, delights in God’s law, and meditates on it continually.
  2. The righteous person doesn’t just obey the law; they delight in it and meditate on it “day and night,” showing a deep, ongoing devotion to God’s Word.
  3. The tree by water symbolizes a life that is nourished, fruitful, stable, and enduring—an image of a spiritually healthy person grounded in God.
  4. The wicked are compared to chaff, implying that their lives lack substance, permanence, and foundation. They are easily scattered and ultimately face judgment.
  5. The psalm teaches that the righteous are known and upheld by God, while the wicked are excluded from the assembly of the righteous and will perish

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