Psalm 1

Like a tree planted by the water
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Text
Explanation
This psalm and the next introduce the book and especially the first section. They are like a preface.
.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. [See ps11206, 2ch3120,21]
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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