Psalm 1:3–6

Context

Psalm 1 in the Book of Psalms has no superscription, and its author is not identified. Scholars classify it as a wisdom psalm, that is, a poem that teaches the right way of life. Because its theme is the law (Torah), it is also called a "Torah psalm." Verses 1–2 call "blessed" the person who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly but meditates day and night on "the law of the LORD." Verses 3–6 contrast this person with the wicked through figurative language.

• Verse 3 likens the righteous to "a tree planted by the rivers of water." The Hebrew word rendered "rivers" is understood to refer to man-made watercourses (irrigation channels).
• Verse 4 likens the wicked to "the chaff which the wind driveth away" after threshing.
• Verses 5–6 describe the end of each group.

Many commentators regard Psalms 1 and 2 together as the introduction to the entire Psalter. They explain that the two psalms are bound together by "Blessed" at the opening of Psalm 1 and "Blessed are" in Psalm 2:12, as well as by the words "way" and "perish," which appear in both Psalm 1:6 and Psalm 2:12.

Interpretation

• Wisdom-tradition reading: The passage is read as a "two ways" teaching concerning the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. It is placed in the same line of thought as Deuteronomy 30:15–20, which speaks of the choice between life and death.
• Christ-centered reading: Some Church Fathers, including Augustine, read the "blessed man" of Psalm 1 as Jesus Christ. In this view, believers share in that blessedness in Christ.
• Reading as a description of the believer's life: Many Protestant interpreters, including those in the Reformed commentary tradition, read these verses as a portrait of believers in general who meditate on the law (the Word). The fruit and the unwithering leaf are taken to signify the fruit of steadfast faith.
• The "judgment" of verse 5: Some read it as referring to the Last Judgment. Others read it as referring to judicial proceedings within the community of Israel or to exclusion from the congregation.
• "Knoweth" in verse 6: The Hebrew verb is yada, "to know." It is understood to mean that God knows the way of the righteous intimately and watches over it.

Questions of Application

Interpretations diverge over the clause in verse 3, "whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Proponents of prosperity theology sometimes cite it as a promise that the godly will attain material and social success.

Other interpreters respond with the following points:

• "Prosper" here refers to the fruit borne by a life of meditation on the law.
• The statement that the tree "bringeth forth his fruit in his season" signifies fruitfulness at the proper time, not immediate success.
• The verse should be read alongside the Book of Job and Psalm 73, which deal with the suffering of the righteous.

In the Korean Church

The phrase "a tree planted by the rivers of water" is frequently used in sermon titles, devotional books, and the names of church newsletters. The whole of Psalm 1 is commonly used as a Scripture memorization passage in Sunday school. It is also reported to be frequently quoted as a word of blessing at the New Year and during pastoral visits.

Related Passages

• Jeremiah 17:5–10
• Psalm 2:12
• Deuteronomy 30:15–20
• Psalm 73:25–26
• Matthew 7:24–27