1 Blessed is the man 1. who a walks not in b the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in c the way of sinners, nor d sits in e the seat of f scoffers; 2 but his g delight is in the law 2 of the L ord, and on his h law he meditates day and night. HINT: Since there are such a large number of resources on this page (>10,000 links) you might consider beginning with the more recent commentaries that briefly discuss all 150 Psalms - Paul Apple (750 pages), Thomas Constable, David Guzik, Bob Utley.For more devotional thoughts consider Spurgeon's The Treasury of … Why? In this verse, the psalmist outlines the various blessings that the faithful person experiences by devoting him/herself to God’s law: • A tree planted by a stream of water is truly blessed, because water is always in easy reach. (General Editor), New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis, 5 vol., (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), “The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments”, All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan. I hope you’re blessed by this brief commentary. The other two, which I take to be the work of art, are drawn round, the one to the right, and the other to the left, on the borders of the gardens, into which they are let out, as they pass, by little rivulets, and so dispersed over all the vast wood, insomuch that there is not a garden but has a fine, quick stream running through it." And so, the implied idea is that the righteous won’t meet the fate of the wicked. While we can easily understand how a person might devote him/herself to following God’s law, we find it more difficult to understand how a person could love God’s law. The blessed person loves to learn about God and God’s expectations. • It is “right, rejoicing the heart.” In keeping God’s laws, the faithful obtain great rewards. Later books bring in the social and communal aspects of life and work. Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Psalms 1:3: Matthew 21:18-19 Mark : Psalms 1:2 : Psalms 1:4 >> The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment Sign up for the Berean: Daily Verse and Comment, and have Biblical truth delivered to your inbox. Sometimes we won’t be privileged to see the fruit. nor stand in the way of sinners, The Day of Judgment will separate sinners from the righteous forevermore. The ASV, which is also in the public domain due to expired copyrights, was a very good translation, but included many archaic words (hast, shineth, etc. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. Drinking Deeply from the Psalms Commentary and hymns for a six-part preaching series on the Psalms.1 This worship and preaching series on the Psalms is meant to move through six psalms in a manner that reflects how believers actually experience the life of faith. • God’s law warns the faithful of dangers that they can then avoid. The basis of this condition and character is given (Ps 32:1). • It is “sure, making wise the simple.” Ver. EDINBURGH: T. & T. CLARK, 38, GEORGE STREET. Then people began to get the message, and the church prospered for the several decades remaining in his ministry. That is no longer the case. The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high, with his rivers running round about his plants, and sent out his little rivers unto all the trees of the field." He is "like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;" not unseasonable graces, like untimely figs, which are never full-flavoured. whose leaf also does not wither. Psalm 1:1-3 ESV. In that kind of relationship, the father might not approve of everything the son does, but he would do whatever possible to bring an errant son back into relationship. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. In times past, standing in opposition to God and godly people was sufficiently unpopular that only hard core scoffers would persist in their resistance. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 1:1-3 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. When they find an opening to do so, they are likely to move from expressions of contempt to active resistance to Godly people. The media often feel compelled to take issue with godly people and godly values wherever they might appear. For though we know our interest in the promise, yet are we so tried and troubled, that sight sees the very reverse of what that promise foretells. And, I would like to thank my fiancé, my family, friends, classmates and all of you who thought it not robbery to listen to me talk about God’s Word just a little bit. and Kahane, Ahuvia, The Oxford English-Hebrew Dictionary (Oxford University Press, 1998), Fohrer, Georg, Hebrew & Aramaic Dictionary of the Old Testament (SCM Press, 2012), Freedman, David Noel (ed. The word "whatsoever" here is to be taken in a general sense, and the proper laws of interpretation do not require that we should explain it as universally true. The blessedness of the righteous shown, in his avoiding every appearance of evil, Psalm 1:1. Whatever he does shall prosper” (v. 3). Psalm 1 Series Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 24, 2020 | 1,948 views. Trav., p. 122. • He/she doesn’t “sit in the seat of scoffers.” Scoffers express profound contempt––in this case for God, godly people, and godly ways. 1 Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. Find Top Church Sermons, Illustrations, and Preaching Slides on Psalm 1:1-3. The Hebrew word qum means stand. IN GOD'S HOLY WORD Psalm 1:1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, n or stand in … “but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. An illustration of the passage may be derived from the account by Maundrell of the method of watering the gardens and orchards in the vicinity of Damascus. So it is with the person who loves God’s law, meditates on it, and seeks to follow it. 3 He is like i a tree. “For Yahweh knows (Hebrew: yada) the way of the righteous” (v. 6a). It comforts him when life is difficult. 1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. His leaf also shall not wither; neither tree, nor fruit, nor leaf shall wither, but shall be always green; which is expressive of the saints' perseverance: the reasons of which are, they are ingrafted in Christ the true vine, and abide in him, from whom they have their sap, nourishment, and fruit, John 15:1; they are rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith of him; and so they hold fast the profession of it without wavering; and whatsoever he doth shall prosper; meaning not so much in things temporal, of which Arama interprets it, for in these the good man does not always succeed, but in things spiritual: whatever he does in faith, from love, to the glory of God, and in the name of Christ, prospers; yea, those things in which he is concerned, that are adverse, and seem for the present to be against him, in the issue work for good to him: in short, such a man is blessed with grace here, and glory hereafter; and therefore must needs be an happy man. According to the psalmist, it is to the counsel of the wicked (a reference to what we believe), the way of sinners (a reference to the way we behave), and the seat of scoffers (a refe… God also often adds rewards as a gift to those who are faithful. Commentary on Psalm 1:1-3 (Read Psalm 1:1-3) 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. It is green and flourishing - a striking image of a happy and a prosperous man. We plant a seed and another waters it, but God will bring the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6)––often at a time when we will not see it. The fruit is not untimely. And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper - This is a literal statement of what had just been put in a figurative or poetic form. Yet, this is the one quality which is of single importance. First of all, I want to give honor to God in whose ways I am imperfectly trying to walk. Psalm 1 5 Commentary: And it’s because of the fact that “the wicked are like chaff which the winds drives away” that the end of the ungodly is the way that we have it portrayed in Psalm 1:5.. Psalm 1 5 Commentary: The Ungodly. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. The wicked and their ways will perish. The first is walk, which seems somewhat casual or relaxed. 1 How blessed is the man who a does not walk in the b counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the 1 c path of sinners, Nor d sit in the seat of scoffers! Psalm 1:1. And again, the idea is that these people are guilty ones. Job 42 Psalm 2 Psalm 1:1-3 New International Version (NIV) BOOK I Psalms 1–41 Psalm 1. The trials of the saint are a divine husbandry, by which he grows and brings forth abundant fruit. However, their advice is likely to lead to destruction. Jesus calls us to the narrow, difficult road that leads to life rather than the wide, smooth road that leads to death (Matthew 7:13). I knew a pastor who served a church for ten years with an attendance of ten or twelve people. BOOK I Psalms 1–41 - Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. God’s law often calls us to do things that we don’t want to do, such as loving our enemies (Matthew 5:43). Blessedness here means happiness. He also loved working on his 1957 Chevy. "His leaf also shall not wither;" his faintest word shall be everlasting; his little deeds of love shall be had in remembrance. ), The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, 5 vol. The righteous are blessed and will prosper. That last line is key. ), The Complete WordStudy Old Testament (Chattanooga; AMG Publishers, 1994), Baker, Warren and Carpenter, Eugene, The Complete WordStudy Dictionary: Old Testament (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2003), Bromiley, Geoffrey (General Editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, 4 vols. Naturally the actual kind of tree in the poet’s thought interests us. 2 But his a delight is b in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates c day and d night. Bible Commentary / Produced by TOW Project Book 1 consists largely of psalms spoken by David individually, rather than by Israel as a nation. But to the eye of faith this word is sure, and by it we perceive that our works are prospered, even when everything seems to go against us. The allusion is to the Oriental method of irrigating their lands by making artificial rivulets to convey the water from a larger stream, or from a lake. His family saw little of him after dinner, because he was passionate about his hobbies. They not only study those things, but also spend irrational sums of money in their pursuit. Resisting such people can be difficult, because wicked people often couch their advice in ways that look quite attractive. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. Psalms 1:3 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. a 2 Rather, the law of the LORD * is his joy;. It contains a general truth, or contains an affirmation as to the natural and proper effect of religion, or of a life of piety, and is similar to that which occurs in 1 Timothy 4:8 : "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. The series loosely follows Walter Brueggemann’s typology that in life we … Continue reading "Commentary on Psalm 1:1-6" It is also true that a Godly person who tries to live according to God’s will can expect to avoid many common pitfalls that ruin other people. I am confident that we will be in for pleasant surprises. He noted that their lifestyle was a prescription for growing rich. Ebr. While the word way can mean a path or road, the psalmist uses it metaphorically to refer to the person’s lifestyle or system of values. God’s law helps him to avoid many of life’s pitfalls and sets his feet in positive directions. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. The trick is to keep moving, so that we don’t absorb their values, join in their wanton activities, or give the appearance of approving their lifestyle. The rivers of pardon and the rivers of grace, the rivers of the promise and the rivers of the communion with Christ, are never-failing sources of supply. By definition, we cannot choose one way without rejecting another. They address matters that concern David, personally, and this makes them applicable to the situations we face at work on our own. For Sermon Central researchers: I have posted a series of 15 sermons on the Psalms. The psalmist invites us to the royal garden, perhaps atop … There is joy in saying no. Study the bible online using commentary on Psalm 1:3 and more! Furthermore, they often wield power, and are prepared to use it against those who defy them. Because here is the root, everything else is the fruit, i.e., the result of one living close to God by living in His eternal, infallible, sure, true and tried Word. However, Psalm 19 speaks of God’s law with great affection––and in terms that we can readily understand: • God’s law “is perfect, restoring the soul.” All of us must rub elbows at some point with people who live wanton lives. In contrast – Psalm 1:6 – God is personally acquainted and familiar with the way of the righteous. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. 19 (Dallas: Word Books, 1983), DeClaisse-Walford, Nancy; Jacobson, Rolf A.; Tanner, Beth Laneel, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament: The Book of Psalms (Grand Rapids: Wm. Whatever he does shall prosper. A striking allusion to trees cultivated in this manner occurs in Ezekiel 31:3-4 : "Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon, with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of a high stature, and his top was among the thick boughs. COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS, BY E. W. HENGSTENBERG, DOCTOR AND PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY IN BERLIN FOURTH EDITION, CAREFULLY REVISED. • He/she doesn’t “stand in the way of sinners”––those whose actions have displeased God and who are subject to God’s wrath. Psalms 1:1-3 NKJV. My fantasy is that, in heaven, God will reveal to us the fruits of our labors in his behalf. Fruitfulness is an essential quality of: a gracious man, and that fruitfulness should be seasonable. Look after Psalm 5 to learn what the word "righteous" means. We learn right off the bat that the blessed life looks like the rejection of certain lifestyles. ), which the WEB has updated. It also serves to constrain us from doing things that we might like to do, such as committing adultery. (2) Straw, a useful byproduct that can be used as animal feed or bedding. 1 Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. The grain, being the heaviest part of the plant, would settle to the ground. We have heard stories of people whose lives have been turned around in a positive way when they began to follow God’s law and to seek God’s will. Our psalmist, to entice us to choose the happy trail, paints the happy life with images stolen from paradise — verdant with plant life, nourished by gentle waters, seasonably fruitful, and unfailingly prosperous (1:3). Given that the wicked are not in relationship with Yahweh, they have no eternal support and can expect to perish. • It is “pure, enlightening the eyes.” And so the last two verses contrast the final end of these two types of people. He said, “The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:40). Planted by the rivers of water - It is not a tree that springs up spontaneously, but one that is set out in a favorable place, and that is cultivated with care. Psalm 1 – The Way of the Righteous and the Way of the Ungodly Verse six presents a key to understanding Psalm 1: “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” In this psalm, the way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly are contrasted. In his godly use of the law of the Lord, Psalm 1:2; This farther pointed out under the metaphor of a good tree planted in a good well-watered soil, Psalm 1:3. 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