Psalm 1:1-6 gives us an insight into the nature and conduct of the blessed man vis-à-vis that of an ungodly person.
This article explains the meaning of each verse recorded in the book of Psalms, chapter 1, by comparing scripture with scripture, precept upon precept, and line upon line. Let us get into the discussion.
What does Psalm 1 verse 1 mean?
To begin with, here is what is recorded in Psalm 1:1 (NKJV):
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.”
So what does it mean? According to this verse, the Bible teaches that for God to bless us in whatever thing we do, we should never seek counsel from the ungodly. Instead, we should always be instructed by His Word and by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. This is because it is only the counsel of God that will always carry the day and none other, as recorded in Proverbs 19:21 as follows:
“There are many plans in a man’s heart; nevertheless, the LORD’S counsel—that will stand.”
In addition, Psalm 1:1 teaches that we should denounce sinful ways if we desire God’s blessings. This is because God is holy and cannot withstand sin. This is in line with Habakkuk 1:13 (NKJV), which says:
“You are of purer eyes than to behold evil and cannot look on wickedness…”
In short, this implies that we cannot habitually walk in sin and expect God to bless us!
Also, in order to be blessed by God, Psalm 1:1 tells us that we should never occupy the space of the scornful. This is because scornful people are self-seekers whose only motivation in life is self-gratification. This is clearly indicated in 2 Peter 3:3 (CSB) that says:
“Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days scoffing and following their own evil desires...”
What does Psalm 1 verse 2 mean?
Psalm 1:2 (NKJV) reads as follows:
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law he meditates day and night.”
This verse gives us more insight about the blessed man. It teaches that this person delights or takes pleasure in the law or instruction of the LORD. As such, he spends most of his time meditating on the Word of God, always seeking to be guided by the same.
It is for this reason that God instructed Joshua to observe the law and meditate on it always so as to make his way prosperous and successful. This is recorded in Joshua 1:3 as follows:
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
God wants us to delight in His word at all times because this Word has answers to all that we may ever desire in life. This sentiment is echoed in Psalm 37:4, which says:
“Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
What does Psalm 1 verse 3 mean?
Psalm 1:3 reads as follows:
“He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”
Psalm 1 verse 3 continues to describe the nature and state of the blessed man. This verse likens the blessed man to ‘a tree planted by the rivers of water.’ Water is a crucial resource needed by all plants in order to grow and flourish. So when a tree is continually exposed to a continuous, unending supply of water, it means that it will never dry up. Instead, such a tree will remain evergreen.
The phrase ‘being planted by the rivers of water’ actually represents being ‘filled with the Holy Spirit.’ This is according to the message of Jesus Christ as recorded in the book of John 7:37–39. Here is what the Bible says:
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive, for the Holy Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
Psalm 1:3 teaches that the blessed man remains fruitful all the time by virtue of being planted in a space supplied with abundant amounts of water. This is a picture of a believer walking in the Spirit and who therefore continually yields the fruit of the Holy Spirit, as recorded in Galatians 5:22–25. The scripture says:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such, there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Psalm 1:3 also teaches that the tree planted by the rivers of water shall not wither. Botanists tell us that leaves are the main site of food production in green plants. Specifically, leaves are the main site of photosynthesis, the actual process by which food is manufactured in plants. So when the leaves of the said tree remain green, this is an indication of continual food production by the plant. This tells us that the blessed man shall continually yield fruit of the Spirit as he abides in the Spirit who was in Christ.
The words of Jesus as recorded in John 15:4-6 attest to this fact by stating as follows:
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
Psalm 1:3 also indicates to us that the blessed man prospers in all that he does. This paints a picture of a successful person at the family level, at the workplace, and in the community at large.
What does Psalm 1 verse 4 mean?
Psalm 1 verse 4 reads as follows:
“The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.”
According to the Oxford Dictionary, chaff refers to the husks of corn or other seeds that are separated during winnowing or threshing. In short, chaff refers to worthless things or trash.
As you can see, the chaff is obtained after ‘winnowing,’ a process involving ‘separating’ useful things from the worthless ones. In the context of scriptures, this separation can be pointed to the Day of Judgment as recorded in Matthew 25:31-33 as follows:
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.”
Now consider what happens to the goats as recorded in Matthew 25:41, 46:
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:…’
And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Notice that the phrase ‘go away’ as used in Matthew 25:46 is synonymous with the words ‘drives away’ as used in Psalm 1:4.
Thus, we can safely conclude that Psalm 1:4 mirrors what will happen to the ungodly on the Day of Judgement.
What does Psalm 1 verse 5 mean?
Psalm 1 verse 5 reads as follows:
“Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.”
This scripture means that the fate of both the ungodly and the sinners is condemnation given that they refused to walk in the ways of God.
What does Psalm 1 verse 6 mean?
Psalm 1 verse 6 reads as follows:
“For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
According to this verse, the LORD will save all those who walk uprightly. However, the ungodly shall be destroyed.
I hope this is helpful. Thank you.
Related Post: How to dwell in the secret place of the most High God; What does it mean in the Bible?
Also Read: What does it mean to abide in the Bible; Benefits of abiding in Christ Jesus
Prayer to get born again
Are you willing to become born again? Say the following prayer sincerely:
“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and hereby ask for your forgiveness.
I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are the only begotten Son of the living God.
I believe that you were sent by your Father to the earth to save sinners like me.
I believe that you died and resurrected in order for me to receive eternal life.
I now accept you as my personal Lord and Savior.
Come into my heart and baptize me with the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for saving me.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen!”
Congratulations friend! You are now a born-again Christian!
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My name is Nicodemus. I'm a Kenyan by birth. I got saved over 30 years ago while in high school.
I love studying scriptures in order to enhance my comprehension of God and His plan for mankind.
I have an MBA degree in strategic management and a BSc degree in botany and zoology.
I’m married to a loving lady called Leah. God has gifted us three sons: Wayne, Salem, and Michael.
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