Psalm
1
Like a tree planted
by the water
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Text
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Explanation
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This
psalm and the next introduce the book and especially the first section.
They are like a preface.
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.1
¶ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is
in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
.3
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth
forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever
he doeth shall prosper. |
The blessed
person does not
* walk with
ungodly
* stand with
sinners
* sit with
scornful
He does
* Meditate
on the law
He will be
* Unmoved
* Fruitful
* Prosperous |
.4
¶ The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth
away.
5 Therefore the ungodly
shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the
righteous. |
The ungodly
* Are unstable
* Will fall
in judgment
* Will not
be with righteous |
| 6 For the LORD knoweth
the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. |
The way
* Of righteous
known by the Lord
* Of the ungodly
will perish |
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Literary
pattern
The psalm deserves
its place at the beginning of the psalm collection. Notice the action:
walk, sit, stand, move, bear fruit, and so on. The pattern can be used
as a structure for memorizing the psalm. The pattern is indicated in the
three blocks. We see the righteous, the wicked, and the Lord's conclusion.
Other psalms have
specific literary patterns. In this commentary, some are noted, and some
are arranged for choral reading. See the asterisks in the psalms home page.
Note
on verse 5
The Hebrew word qum
which
is translated "stand" is better translated "established." The righteous
will be established or vindicated in judgment but not the wicked. See how
qum
is used elsewhere: ge0618,
pr3004,
da0607.
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