Psalm 1 is classified as a “wisdom” psalm. In many ways it functions as an introduction to the book of psalms.
Psalm 1 | The Way of the righteous contrasted with the Wicked | Notes | |
A1 | 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; | Does not: thinking behaving accepting |
A2 | . | 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. | Does: delight & meditate |
A3 | . | 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. | permanence (tree planted) productivity (bears fruit) permanence (leaf not wither) productivity (all prospers) |
B3 | 4 The wicked are not so, | but are like chaff that the wind drives away. | driven |
B2 | . | Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; | doomed |
B1 | . | for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. | damned |
Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.
Series: Psalms
Resources: Understanding Hebrew Poetry
Photo by EFDAL YILDIZ on Unsplash
Podcast Season 12 episode 7