Psalm 1

The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.

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^(a)Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example],

Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of ^(b)scoffers (ridiculers).
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But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.^(A)

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And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season;
Its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].^(B)

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The wicked [those who live in disobedience to God’s law] are not so,
But they are like the chaff [worthless and without substance] which the wind blows away.

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Therefore the wicked will not stand [unpunished] in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

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For the Lord knows and fully approves the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked shall perish.

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 1:1: This has been called “The Preface Psalm” because in some respects it introduces the complete book of Psalms as a godly message. It opens with a benediction, “Blessed,” as does the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:3).

b. Psalm 1:1: I.e. shallow thinkers who are quick to mock or disdain.

Cross references:

A. Psalm 1:2: Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 3:1-29; 2 Timothy 3:16

B. Psalm 1:3: Jeremiah 17:7; Jeremiah 17:8