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Psalms 1

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1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers:

2But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law doth he meditate day and night.

3And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4The wicked are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6For Jehovah knoweth the way of the righteous; But the way of the wicked shall perish.

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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.

Psalms 1:1-3 Verses 1-3

To meditate in God's word, is to discourse with ourselves concerning the great things contained in it, with close application of mind and fixedness of thought. We must have constant regard to the word of God, as the rule of our actions, and the spring of our comforts; and have it in our thoughts night and day. For this purpose no time is amiss.

Psalms 1:4-6 Verses 4-6

The ungodly are the reverse of the righteous, both in character and condition. The ungodly are not so, ver. 4; they are led by the counsel of the wicked, in the way of sinners, to the seat of the scornful; they have no delight in the law of God; they bring forth no fruit but what is evil. The righteous are like useful, fruitful trees: the ungodly are like the chaff which the wind drives away: the dust which the owner of the floor desires to have driven away, as not being of any use. They are of no worth in God's account, how highly soever they may value themselves. They are easily driven to and fro by every wind of temptation. The chaff may be, for a while, among the wheat, but He is coming, whose fan is in his hand, and who will thoroughly purge his floor. Those that, by their own sin and folly, make themselves as chaff, will be found so before the whirlwind and fire of Divine wrath. The doom of the ungodly is fixed, but whenever the sinner becomes sensible of this guilt and misery, he may be admitted into the company of the righteous by Christ the living way, and become in Christ a new creature. He has new desires, new pleasures, hopes, fears, sorrows, companions, and employments. His thoughts, words, and actions are changed. He enters on a new state, and bears a new character. Behold, all things are become new by Divine grace, which changes his soul into the image of the Redeemer. How different the character and end of the ungodly!

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Historical, contextual, and verse-level study notes for deeper biblical exploration.

Psalms 1:1 The character and condition, and the present and future

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).

Psalms 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.

Psalms 1:2 The character and condition, and the present and future

law--all of God's word then written, especially the books of Moses (compare Ps 119:1, 55, 97, &c.).

Psalms 1:3 The character and condition, and the present and future

like a tree--(Jer 17:7, 8). planted--settled, fast. by--or, "over." the rivers--canals for irrigation. shall prosper--literally, "make prosper," brings to perfection. The basis of this condition and character is given (Ps 32:1).

Psalms 1:4 The character and condition, and the present and future

not so--either as to conduct or happiness. like the chaff--which, by Eastern modes of winnowing against the wind, was utterly blown away.

Psalms 1:5 The character and condition, and the present and future

stand in the judgment--be acquitted. They shall be driven from among the good (Mt 25:45, 46).

Psalms 1:6 The character and condition, and the present and future

knoweth the way--attends to and provides for them (Ps 101:6; Pr 12:10; Ho 13:5). way of the wicked--All their plans will end in disappointment and ruin (Ps 37:13; 146:8; Pr 4:19). PSALM 2

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Key Words and Topics

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Related Topics

Bad Influence Psalm 1:1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.

Being Blessed Psalm 1:1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.

Being Different Psalm 1:1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.

Being Focused Psalm 1:2

But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

Blessing: Spiritual, from God Psalm 1:3

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Chaff: Figurative Psalm 1:4

Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind.

Changing Jobs Psalm 1:1–3

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. / But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. / He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Christian Conduct: Blessedness of Maintaining Psalm 1:1–3

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. / But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. / He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Christian Lifestyles Psalm 1:1, 2

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. / But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

Codependency Psalm 1:3

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Company: Evil Psalm 1:1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.

Compared To Saints: Fruitful Trees Psalm 1:3

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Delight Psalm 1:2

But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

Devotions Psalm 1:2

But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

Fruit Psalm 1:3

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Fruitfulness Psalm 1:3

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

God: Knowledge of Psalm 1:6

For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

God: Preserver Psalm 1:6

For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Godliness Psalm 1:1–3

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. / But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. / He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

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