Psalms 1

¹Blessed 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.

Blessed - The Hebrew words are very emphatical: O the blessedness of that man! Counsel - That doth not lead his life according to their counsel, or manner of living. Standeth - Which notes a more settled abode in it. Way - In their manner of conversation. Seat - Which notes a constant and resolved perseverance in their wicked courses. Scornful - Of those who make a mock of sin, and scoff at goodness and goodmen. Divers observe a gradation in this verse; the following clause still exceeding the former, for standing is more than walking, and sitting more than standing; and sinners in scripture use, are worse than the ungodly, and the scornful are the worst of sinners.

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

Day and night - Not seldom and slightly, but diligently, and constantly.

³And 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.

Whither - His happiness is not short and transitory, but, like those trees which are continually green and flourishing.

⁴The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Ungodly - Their condition is far different. Chaff - They are restless and unquiet: their seeming felicity, hath no firm foundation, but quickly vanishes and flees away as chaff before the wind.

⁵Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

Not stand - Not endure the trial. Judgment - In the great and general judgment of the world.

⁶For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Knoweth - He approves, loves, and delights in them, and therefore will recompence them. Perish - All their designs and courses shall come to nothing, and they shall perish with them.