시편 Chapter 1

Translation: ESV

1

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;

Key Message

The blessed life begins with the decision to progressively reject the temptations of evil.

▸This verse, which serves as the prologue to the entire Psalter, opens with the word 'blessed' (Hebrew: ashrei), and presents the first characteristic of the blessed life as avoiding the three stages of evil: following counsel, standing in the way, and sitting in the seat.

This verse, which serves as the prologue to the entire Psalter, opens with the word 'blessed' (Hebrew: ashrei), and presents the first characteristic of the blessed life as avoiding the three stages of evil: following counsel, standing in the way, and sitting in the seat. These three verbs depict a progressive descent into wickedness — from seeking advice from the wicked, to adopting their lifestyle, to fully joining their community. The 'scoffers' (letsim) are those who mock God and neighbor, and to sit in their seat means to fully embrace their identity.

Related Verses

Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2

but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Key Message

True blessedness lies in placing God's word at the center of life with joy.

▸Beginning with the strong adversative 'but' (Hebrew: ki im), this verse presents the positive characteristic of the blessed person.

3

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Key Message

A person rooted in God's word never loses vitality in any circumstance and bears fruit at the right time.

▸This verse, which compares the person who delights in God's law to 'a tree planted by streams of water,' is one of the most beautiful descriptions in the Old Testament.

4

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Key Message

A life without God has no substance, like chaff — however outwardly impressive it may appear.

▸The strong contrast 'not so' (Hebrew: lo ken) sets up the comparison of the wicked to 'chaff that the wind drives away.

5

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

Key Message

The wicked cannot stand before God's final judgment and are separated from the holy community of the righteous.

▸Continuing the chaff image from verse 4, this verse declares that the wicked will not stand in the day of God's judgment.

6

for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Key Message

The LORD himself watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked — having rejected God — ultimately perishes.

▸This verse, the conclusion and climax of Psalm 1, declares the ultimate destiny of the two ways.