Psalm 1

Psalm 1:1

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.

a. NLT: Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

b. NIV: 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,

c. Amplified Bible: Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.

d. Septuagint: Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of evil men.

e. Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: Praiseworthy is the man who walked not in the counsel of the wicked, and stood not in the path of the sinful, and sat not in the session of scorners.

1. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly…”

a. Blessed [Strong: 835 'esher eh'-sher; from 833; happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!:--blessed, happy.]

b. [is the] man [Strong: 376 'iysh eesh contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, + champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people, person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.]]

c. that [Strong: 834 'aher ash-er' a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, + from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where (+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, + whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection.]

d. walketh [Strong: 1980 halak haw-lak' akin to 3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--(all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, + be eased, enter, exercise (self), + follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), + greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, X more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), + send, speedily, spread, still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-)faring man, X be weak, whirl.]

e. not [Strong: 3808 lo' lo or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, + of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.]

c. [in the] counsel [Strong: 6098 `etsah ay-tsaw';  from 3289; advice; by implication, plan; also prudence:--advice, advisement, counsel(l-(or)), purpose.]

d. [of the] ungodly [Strong: 7563 rasha` raw-shaw';  from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.

1). The counsel of the ungodly is the philosophy of the natural man and the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God.

a). 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

2). The carnal mind is in direct opposition to God.

a). Romans 8:5-8 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

3). The counsel of the ungodly will lead me into error.

a). Proverbs 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

4). The counsel of the ungodly is wickedness.

a). Job 21:14-16 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

21:15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

21:16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

5). We must not follow or imitate the devilish wisdom of popular culture. A man, woman, group or assembly who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, is blessed. Glory to God! We are not to imitate the world.

a). Romans 12:1, 2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

6). One way God brings the counsel of the ungodly to naught in individual believers is through the preaching of the cross and their receiving that revelation.

a). 1 Corinthians 1:18-21 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

7). Henry M. Morris: Psalm 1 is the foundation Psalm. The first three verses describe the way of the righteous, the last three verses describe the way of the ungodly. Psalm 1 outlines the two ways and the two destinies. There are only two ways and two destinies. It is the theme that constitutes innumerable other Scriptures.

a). Matthew 7:13, 14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

2. “…nor standeth in the way of sinners.

a. nor [Strong: 3808 lo' lo or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, + of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.]

b. standeth [Strong: 5975 `amad aw-mad'; a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive):--abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, + serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-)stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.]

c. [in the] way [Strong: 1870  derek deh'-rek ; from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side), whither(-soever).]

d. [of] sinners [Strong: 2400 chatta' khat-taw' intensively from 2398; a criminal, or one accounted guilty:--offender, sinful, sinner.]

1). Since the warning here is not to stand in the way of sinners I have to go with the Amplified rendering of the Hebrew that the warning is to not stand submissive and inactive.

3. “…nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

a.  nor [Strong: 3808 lo' lo or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, + of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.]

b. sitteth [Strong: 3427 yashab yaw-shab' a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle), (down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.]

c. [in the] seat [Strong: 4186  mowshab mo-shawb' or moshab {mo-shawb'}; from 3427; a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population:--assembly, dwell in, dwelling(-place), wherein (that) dwelt (in), inhabited place, seat, sitting, situation, sojourning.]

d. [of the] scornful [Strong: 3887  luwts loots; to scoff, mock, mocker, scorn , scorner, scornful.]

1).  Amplified Bible: “…nor sits down to relax and rest where the scornful and the mockers gather.

2). I can’t get away from the image of sitting in front of the TV or in the movie theater, of watching and hearing people mocking God, heaping scorn upon God and his people and these scorners and mockers getting paid by us through our purchasing the ticket. Compare what I just wrote with the following verses.

a). Psalm 26:4, 5 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.

26:5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.

b). We must not sit with the scornful, the group of dissemblers, or the mockers. These are a congregation of evil doers. On television, the assault against Biblical values in American culture started in 1971 with shows like “All in the Family”.

3). An attitude of mockery toward the things of God will be a characteristic of the last days.

a). 2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

b). Jude 14-16 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

d). Murmurers and complainers are linked with ungodly sinners who walk after their own lusts, speak  violent, rough, offensive, intolerable words against Jesus.

4). Mockery and scorn similar to what Goliath heaped upon Israel.

a). 1 Samuel 17:4-10 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

17:5 And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

17:6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.

17:7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.

17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? Am  I not a Philistine, and ye servants of Saul? 17:9 Choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.

17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.

5). What must be noted here is the progression or in other words the descent.

a). Henry M Morris: “First the unwary soul would hearken to “the counsel of the ungodly”; then he or she would begin “to stand in the way of sinners”; and eventually he or she would be “sitting in the seat of the scornful”, offering mockery for God’s word.”

b). Henry M. Morris?? “Verses 1 & 2 can be made to focus around words: counsel, scorn, the law of the LORD. Whose words are we going to take, the words of the ungodly, the sinner, the scorner or God’s?  

6). It also must be noted that the “evil man” and the evil morally loose woman in Proverbs were both former believers.

a). Proverbs 2:12-19 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

2:13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

2:14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

2:15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

2:16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

2:17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

2:18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.

2:19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.  

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. delight [2656 * chephets] [Strong: delight, pleasure, desire, longing, that in which one takes delight.]

b. law [8451 * towrah] [Strong: from 3384; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.]

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. law [8451 * towrah] [Strong: from 3384; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.]

b. meditate [1897 * hagah] [Strong: to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak, imagine. [AMG: ponder]

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

d. 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 [8104 * shamar] [Strong: 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.

Psalm 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. NLT: They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

b. NIV: That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

c. Amplified Bible: And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].

d. Septuagint: And he shall be as a tree planted by the brooks of waters, which shall yield its fruit in its season, and its leaf shall not fall off; and whatsoever he shall do shall be prospered.

e. Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: He shall be like a tree deeply rooted alongside brooks of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and whose leaf never withers; and everything that he does will succeed.

1. “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water…”

a. tree [6086 * ‘ets] [Strong: from 6095; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks):--+ carpenter, gallows, helve, + pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood.]

b. tree [8362 * shathal] [Strong: a primitive root; to transplant:--plant.]

c. rivers [6388 * peleg] [Strong: from 6385; a rill (i.e. small channel of water, as in irrigation):--river, stream.]

d. water [4325 * mayim] [Strong: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen:--+ piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).]

1). Plants that do not have water die. We must have water.

a). Ezekiel 19:10-14 Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.

19:11 And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule, and her stature was exalted among the thick branches, and she appeared in her height with the multitude of her branches.

19:12 But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered; the fire consumed them.

19:13 And now she is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground.

19:14 And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This is  a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.

2). Tehillim [Psalms] Jewish Commentary from Talmudic, Midrashic and Rabbinic Sources: “By streams of water. The root of this word is ‘split’. It describes the stream which branches off into small channels…Rashi renders [it] in old French vernacular, as reservoir, i.e., an independent, self-replenishing source of water that never fails.”

3). We need the water of eternal life found only in Christ Jesus.

a). John 4:13, 14 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

4). After we drink of Christ Jesus then we can go on and be baptized in the Holy Ghost and the well becomes rivers. Hallelujah!

a). John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

5). It is a spiritual principle that meditation is a necessary component that will produce the effect described as a tree planted by water. Notice the effect of the trust

a). Jeremiah 17:7, 8 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

6). Now notice what Isaiah writes is the effect of trusting in the LORD.

a). Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

7). Meditation will produce the nutrition necessary for us to endure and florish.

a). Psalm 104:16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;

b). Psalm 92:13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

8). Spiritually speaking, not every plant or tree is planted by the LORD. We can see from the parables of Christ Jesus that in this world, there are trees planted by God and there are trees planted by the enemy.

a). Matthew 13:24, 25, 37-39 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

b). Matthew 13:15 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

9). It is the will of God that we flourish like a tree, that we prosper or grow spiritually. The way this is accomplished is through meditation, letting his words abide in us and walking in obedience to what we are meditating.

a). Ezekiel 47:9 And it shall come to pass, [that] every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

b). Ezekiel 47:12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.  

2. “…that bringeth forth his fruit in his season, his leaf also shall not wither;

a. bringeth forth [5414 * Nathan] [Strong: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, + cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander, strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to) God, yield.]

b. fruit [6529 * priy] [Strong: from 6509; fruit (literally or figuratively):--bough, ((first-)) fruit((-ful)), reward.]

c. season [6256 * ‘eth] [Strong: from 5703; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.:--+ after, (al-)ways, X certain, + continually, + evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-)tide, ((meal-)), what) time, when.]

d. leaf [5929 * ‘aleh] [Strong: from 2927; a leaf (as coming up on a tree); collectively, foliage:--branch, leaf.

e. wither [5034 * nabel][Gesenius: to be senseless, be foolish, to be foolish, to regard or treat as foolish, to treat with contempt.]

1). The choice of this word is very interesting. The word of course is nabel, but if we remember there was a character in Scripture whose name was “Nabel”, and he behaved very foolishly.

a). 1 Samuel 25:25 Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, [even] Nabal: for as his name [is], so [is] he; Nabal [is] his name, and folly [is] with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.

2). Along that same line of thought, there is a very familiar verse in the New Testament that warns against becoming foolish in our behavior and mirrors the Old Testament lesson.

a). Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

b). savour [3471 * moraine] [Thayer: to be foolish, to act foolishly, to make foolish, to prove a person or a thing foolish, to make flat and tasteless, of salt that has lost its strength and flavor.] [Zodhiates: to make dull, not acute, to cause something to lose its taste or the purpose for which it exists.] [The English word “moron” is a derivative of this word.]

3. “…and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

a. whatsoever he doeth [6213 * ‘asah] [Strong: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, + finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin, spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be (warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.]

b. prosper [6743 * tsalach] [Gesenius: to rush, to advance, prosper, make progress, succeed, be profitable, to prosper, to make prosperous, bring to successful issue, cause to prosper, to show or experience prosperity, prosper.] [Srrong: to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive):--break out, come (mightily), go over, be good, be meet, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to, send) prosper(-ity, -ous, - ously).]

1). I personally believe that the primary meaning of this word in Psalm 1:3 is growing up spiritually. The Amplified says, “come to maturity”. Sometimes though it does mean gaining financially as in the case of Joseph.

a). Genesis 39:1-3 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelites, which had brought him down thither.

39:2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

39:3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.    

2). The Hebrew word used in Genesis 39:3 is the same used in Psalm 1:3. The context in Genesis is obviously financial.

2). God’s word will prosper in the thing where He has sent it.

a). Isaiah 55:10, 11

3). Hezekiah’s example.

a). 2 Chronicles 31:21

Psalm 1:4

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

a. NLT: But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

b. NIV: Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

c. YLT: Not so the wicked: But -- as chaff that wind driveth away!

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away.

e. Septuagint: Not so the ungodly;-- not so: but rather as the chaff which the wind scatters away from the face of the earth.

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: Not so the wicked: They are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

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

a. The ungodly [Strong: 7563 rasha` raw-shaw' from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.]

b. [are] not [Strong: 3808 lo' lo or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, + of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.]

c. so [Strong: 3651  ken kane from 3559; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and relation; often with other particles):--+ after that (this, -ward, -wards), as ... as, + (for-)asmuch as yet, + be (for which) cause, + following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), X the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, + there (where)-fore, this, thus, true, well, X you.]

1). The ungodly are not like the righteous. They do walk in the counsel of the ungodly, they do stand in the way of sinners, they do sit in the seat of the scorners. Their delight is not in the law and they do not meditate in it.

d. but [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.]

e. [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.]

f. like the chaff  [Strong: 4671 mots motes or mowts (Zephaniah 2:2) {motes}; from 4160; chaff (as pressed out, i.e. winnowed or (rather) threshed loose):--chaff.]

g. which [Strong: 834  'aher ash-er' a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, + from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where (+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, + whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection.]

h. the wind [Strong: 7307 ruwach roo'-akh from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions):--air, anger, blast, breath, X cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit((-ual)), tempest, X vain, ((whirl-))wind(-y).]

i. drives away [Strong: 5086 nadaph naw-daf' a primitive root; to shove asunder, i.e. disperse:--drive (away, to and fro), thrust down, shaken, tossed to and fro.]

Psalm 1:5

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

a. NLT: They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly.

b. NIV: Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

c. YLT: Therefore the wicked rise not in judgment, Nor sinners in the company of the righteous,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Therefore the wicked [those disobedient and living without God] shall not stand [justified] in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God].

e. Septuagint: Therefore the ungodly shall not rise in judgment, nor sinners in the counsel of the just.

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: Therefore  the wicked shall not be vindicated in judgment, not the sinful in the assembly of the righteous.

1. “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment…”

a. Therefore [Strong: 5921 `al al properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications (as follow):--above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, X with.]

b. [the] ungodly [Strong: 7563 rasha` raw-shaw' from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.]

c. shall not [Strong: 3808  lo' lo or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, + of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.]

d. stand [Strong: 6965 quwm koom a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative):--abide, accomplish, X be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, X be dim, endure, X enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, X but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-)rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-)stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, - rising).]

e. [in the] judgment [Strong: 4941 mishpat mish-pawt' from 8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style:--+ adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.]

2.  nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

a. [nor] sinners [Strong: 240  chatta' khat-taw' intensively from 2398; a criminal, or one accounted guilty:--offender, sinful, sinner.]

b. [in] the congregation [Strong: 5712  `edah ay-daw' feminine of 5707 in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd):--assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. ]

c. [of the] righteous [Strong: tsaddiyq tsad-deek' from 6663; just:--just, lawful, righteous (man).]

1). When the righteous are being judged, the ungodly will be nowhere in sight. The judgment of the righteous is completely separate from the judgment of the ungodly. The judgment of the righteous is at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

a). Romans 14:10-12  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

b) 2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

2). The righteous however will be at the great White Throne Judgment to rise in judgment against the ungodly.

a. Matthew 12:41, 42  The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

12:42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

b. 1 Corinthians 6:2, 3 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

3). The judgment of the ungodly will take place either at the same time as the New Heavens and New Earth are being created or immediately previous.

a). Revelation 20:11-15  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Psalm 1:6

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

a. NLT: For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

b. NIV: For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

c. YLT: For Jehovah is knowing the way of the righteous, And the way of the wicked is lost!

d. Amplified Bible Classic: For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God’s will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought).

e. Septuagint: For the Lord knows the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: For HASHEM attends the way of the righteous, while the way of the wicked will perish.

1). Note in Amplified Bible: This has been called “The Preface Psalm” because in some respects it may be considered “the text upon which the whole of the Psalms make up a divine sermon.” It opens with a benediction, “Blessed,” as does our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:3).

1. “For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous…”

a. For [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.]

b. [the] LORD [Strong: 3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw' from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:]

c. knoweth [Strong: 3045 yada` yaw-dah' a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), X will be, wist, wit, wot.]

d. [the] way [Strong: 1870 derek deh'-rek from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side), whither(-soever).]

e. [of the] righteous [Strong: 6662 tsaddiyq tsad-deek' from 6663; just:--just, lawful, righteous (man).]

1). There are two ways contrasted here and in the New Testament.

a). Matthew 7:13, 14  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

b). Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

2). The way to eternal life is in Christ Jesus.

a). John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

2. “...but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

a. but the way [Strong: 1870 derek deh'-rek from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side), whither(-soever).]

b. [of the] ungodly [Strong: 7563 rasha` raw-shaw' from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.]

c. shall perish [Strong: 6 'abad aw-bad' a primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy):--break, destroy(- uction), + not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, X and surely, take, be undone, X utterly, be void of, have no way to flee.]

1). The way of the ungodly shall perish.

a). Psalm 9:5, 6  Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

9:6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.

b). Exodus 32:32, 33 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.