Psalm 1:2

Psalm 1:2

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

a. NLT: But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.

b. NIV: but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

c. Amplified Bible: But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.

d. Septuagint: But his pleasure is in the law of the Lord; and in his law will he meditate day and night.

e. Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: But his desire is in the Torah of HASHEM, and in His Torah he meditates day and night.

1. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD…”

a. But [Strong: 518 'im eem a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, + more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, + save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more, none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when, whereas, whether, while, + yet.]

b. [Strong: 3588 kiy kee a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.]

c. [his] delight [Strong: 2656 chêphets, khay'-fets; from H2654; pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind):—acceptable, delight(-some), desire, things desired, matter, pleasant(-ure), purpose, willingly.]

d. [is in the] law [Strong: 8451 towrah to-raw' or torah {to-raw'}; from 3384; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.]

e. [of the] LORD [Strong: 3068 Yᵉhôvâh, yeh-ho-vaw'; from H1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God:—Jehovah, the Lord.]

1). The Word of God is the most valuable thing in a Christian’s possession. We must as believers delight in the Word of God above all other pleasures and delights. Read what David wrote concerning the Word of God.

a). Psalm 19:7-11 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

b). Proverbs 24:13, 14 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:

24:14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

2). In many passages of Scripture, the Word of God is compared to wealth.

a). Psalm 12:6, 7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

b). Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

c). Colossians 2:1-3 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

2. “…and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

a. [and in his] law [Strong: 8451 towrah to-raw' or torah {to-raw'}; from 3384; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.]

b. [doyh he] meditate [Strong: 1897 hagah daw-gaw' a primitive root (Compare 1901); to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder:--imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, X sore, speak, study, talk, utter.] [AMG: ponder]

c. day [3119 * yowmam] [Strong: from 3117; daily:--daily, (by, in the) day(-time).]

d. [and] night [3915 * layil] [Strong: from the same as 3883; properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity:--((mid-))night (season).

1). The phrase “meditate…day and night”, is used only twice in Scripture, here and in Joshua 1:8.

a). Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

b). observe [Strong: 8104 shamar shaw-mar' a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).]

2). Psalm 1:2 and the verse in Joshua are the most complete command and exhortation in the Word to meditate. The goal is to “observe to do”, or to be obedient.

a). “…that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein.”

b). God’s word will accomplish and prosper in what He has sent it to do: 

(1) Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

c). The words of Jesus have the power and ability to make alive: 

(1) John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

d). Believing and confessing the gospel is the ability to bring the power of God to bear on any situation:

(1) Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

3). God’s word will work in us to bring about in us the will of God.

a). Colossians 1:28, 29 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 

Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. 

b). 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 

c). Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

4). Wisdom is imparted through meditation. 

a). Psalm 63:5, 6 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. 

b). Psalm 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.