I. Introduction
Our purpose is to render a commentary on psalm one, probably a psalm of David (it is not explicitly ascribed to him in the text)—a psalm about life—how to live it; guidance for living (cf. A similar theme in the following, many ascribed to David: Psa 15, Psa 19, Psa 26, Psa 36, Psa 37, Psa 49, Psa 50, Psa 52, Psa 82, Psa 101, Psa 112, Psa 119, Psa 125, Psa 127, Psa 128 [psalms list compiled by Balchin 100]).
We will follow this format:
Verse of Scripture utilizing the YLT text followed by an NASB mouseover of that verse. Key words in the YLT text will be footnoted with a link to a word study based on the Hebrew text, and/or a general discussion relative to the given word (we are not biblical Greek or Hebrew scholars, please consider our grammatical constructions with a critical eye).
Commentary We shall be commenting on this passage keeping before us at all times the crucial fact that every jot and every tittle comprising these verses came forth under the inspiration of the blessed Holy Spirit. We pray that He, by His grace, helps us along the way.
II. Psalms One Commentary Verses
1:1-3-Thy Truth Doth Warm My Heart Father God, It Is My Principal, My Exceeding Delight
YLT TEXT:O the happiness [1] of that one, who Hath not walked in the counsel of the wicked [2] . And in the way of sinners [3] hath not stood, And in the seat of scorners [4] hath not sat; But — in the law [5] of Jehovah is his delight [6], And in His law he doth meditate by day and by night: And he hath been as a tree, Planted by rivulets of water, That giveth its fruit in its season, And its leaf doth not wither, And all that he doth he causeth to prosper[7]. (Psa 1:1-3).
COMMENTARY: In these verses the Word of God stands two manners of life shoulder to shoulder, arrays them thus, and then directs its tried and tested, its discerning Wisdom onto each; shines its discerning and penetrating Light onto each, hangs each in the Balance of its Truth, and thus judges the spiritual and physical Efficacy of each. Arrayed before us are two manners of life and the players thereof. One manner is unholy, its players given over to the company and the counsel and the course of the wicked (Godless); given over to Sin, delighting therein, standing anti-God; thus standing fast, proud, independent of God. The other manner is holy, its players given over to the company and the counsel and the course of the God fearing and God, given over to Obedience, delighting therein, standing pro-God; thus standing fast, humble, dependent on God. Here fits humankind, rubbing shoulders with one, or the other, of these two manners of life, thus living out our individual lives, one way, or the other (Mal 3:18, Fig. 1).
But there is more said than that in these verses—the stage is but set at this point. These verses reveal a precedent. It is the precedent of our great savior God, Jesus, sanctified; the blessed One (ESHER [Hebrew], MAKARIOS [Greek]): “…O the happiness of that one, who Hath not walked in the counsel of the wicked. And in the way of sinners hath not stood, And in the seat of scorners hath not sat; But — in the law of Jehovah is his delight, And in His law he doth meditate by day and by night…” It is precisely for us, His people, a precedent (“Be Holy”, “The Beatitudes”). A Precedent anticipated (the blessed Spirit of Jehovah God spoke through David [2Sa 23:1-2], who we believe penned these verses). Our Precedent reveals yet, no less, a Precedence: “…But — in the law of Jehovah is his delight, And in His law he doth meditate by day and by night:…” Here shown is the priority that sources all Blessing.
We must by God’s grace discern (1) what said blessedness is—this is one of our goals (for a right understanding of this blessedness will prevent our feet from treading onto the dry riverbeds of false hope in attaining it; of misplaced hope in attaining it, and the spiritual and physical frustration that stems from that dearth)—and (2) why it is here connected with shunning all manner of evil—this is our other goal—or, said differently, why it is here connected with an intimate tether to God, the Word of God, for a right understanding of (2) guides our attainment of (1).
As concerns our first goal, this blessedness tangibly is: ‘…One’s planting, one’s planting as a tree by streams of water…’ (one chooses to be planted precisely there). Notice: Thus is the Word of God, a stream, a Life stream (Isa 55:1-3, “Isaiah Chapter Fifty-five Commentary”), it is a holy fountain; a wellspring from which to draw, in one’s generation, to the blessing, even Salvation, of others: “…that giveth its fruit in its season…”, to the glory of God. Thus this blessedness has a horizontal manifestation and a vertical one. It extends beyond self, to others (horizontal), for the blessed purpose of Salvation, to the glory of God (vertical). And self? What of self? Self is delighted. Is exceedingly delighted, to thus commune, even participate, with their God; yea, embracing said Precedent, Precedence; embracing, bearing fruit (Jhn 15:5); embracing, holding close, fast. O so delighted: “… But — in the law of Jehovah is his delight, And in His law he doth meditate by day and by night…” Delight unspeakable to thus commune with Him, be taught by Him, be directed by Him, work for Him, learn about Him; blessed Truth. Father God be praised, loved.
And again as concerns our first goal, this blessedness tangibly is: ‘…One’s planting as a tree by streams of water whose leaf does not wither…’ (cf. Eze 47:12, Rev 22:2). Here is the promise of Salvation—life eternal in the manifest presence of Jehovah God (“Children of the Resurrection”). It is the promise of the efficacy of the Life stream beside which one has chosen to be planted, and from which one delights to nourish oneself, and others: “… But — in the law of Jehovah is his delight, And in His law he doth meditate by day and by night: And he hath been as a tree, Planted by rivulets of water, That giveth its fruit in its season, And its leaf doth not wither…” Where the leaf does not wither remains the possibility for fruit, and Life.
Yet once more as concerns our first goal, this blessedness tangibly is: ‘…One’s attainment of bushel-baskets, indeed, overflowing bushel-baskets of harvest…’ Overflowing bushel-baskets of lives redeemed unto Salvation; overflowing bushel-baskets of real treasure (Pro 15:6): “…And all that he doth he causeth to prosper…” Here is the promise of the Word of God, that facilitating, sustaining Life issuance; that Life stream, of blessedness, beside which one chooses to plant oneself, so as to be ever near God, to ever feed on Him, because one much delights in Him, His Truth (Psa 71:22), His manner of Life (here is Treasure).
As concerns our second goal, restated:
Why is it that blessedness as discussed follows from an intimate tether to Jehovah God, His Word?
An intimate tether to God betrays a disposition that loves what He loves and hates what He hates, (“Be Holy: Tab. 2”), which disposition by default resonates with His ways, His Word; nay more, is informed by His Word. Such a tether betrays an exceeding delight in God, a passionate love for Him, and thus cannot help but delight exceedingly in His ways—and the ways of God are made lucid to mortals by His Word: “…. But — in the law of Jehovah is his delight, And in His law he doth meditate by day and by night…” Yea, by day and by night—simply cannot get enough, because of Who is behind that Word, the very One whom we love and adore so, and seek to get close to, to learn ever more about, to share with others, for much mutual blessing, to His glory. When one loves God, one loves His ways, and looks high and low to find them, seeking Him; and when one has found them, one cannot get enough of them, because one has found Him, to one’s saturation in the very Word that elucidates His ways, Him. Thus redounds blessedness to a lover of God (here is a Positive feedback loop if you will), for such a one by God’s grace finds God in His Word (here by definition is satiety). Blessedness accrues to lovers of God (Psa 37:4)—this is the design of God. Praised be our God, even Jehovah God.
And as concerns the treasure that is found in the house of those who love God, that is found in the house of the righteous: “…And all that he doth he causeth to prosper…”, how does that follow from an intimate tether to Jehovah God, His Word? Well, it got there precisely because said righteousness issued forth from an intimate tether to God (“Righteous Faith”)—it is the passport righteousness of our great savior God Jesus Christ, accruing to those that love Him; to those that manifest salvific faith in Him, which presupposes an intimate tether to Him (“Where the Rivers Meet”).
1:4-6-The Wicked, Lost Forever, and Ever, and Ever—Poooooof—Just Like That
YLT TEXT: Not so the wicked: But — as chaff [8] that wind driveth away! Therefore the wicked rise [9] not in judgment [10], Nor sinners in the company of the righteous [11], For Jehovah is knowing [12] the way of the righteous, And the way of the wicked is lost! [13] (Psa 1:4-6).
COMMENTARY: “…Not so the wicked…” To what is the comparison made?
“…And he hath been as a tree, Planted by rivulets of water, That giveth its fruit in its season, And its leaf doth not wither, And all that he doth he causeth to prosper …”
Not as a tree planted by rivulets of water, rather as a tree planted in a parched and desert place (here is a Godless place), wanting, ever wanting; not as a tree yielding its fruit in its season, but rather as a tree fruitless, barren; not as a tree whose leaf does not wither, but rather as a tree whose leaf withers, crumbles and disappears—pooooof, gone forever; a skeleton of a tree, a dead tree; and no real Treasure to be found in the house, but Consternation.
These verses are completely loaded with condemnation, condemnation of the wicked (preferentially Godless)—it could hardly be thicker. Every utterance is a desolation, a disappearance; bleak, sorry, hopeless (lest one misses it—thus is one forewarned)—so is the lot of the wicked.
They are scattered, like chaff is scattered and disappears—pooooof. When a wicked one meets their end, they are gone forever; the window of Opportunity (Jhn 3:16, “A Letter of Invitation”) closes, slams shut—thus the Word of God declares here very specifically: “…Not so the wicked: But — as chaff that wind driveth away…” So what if a wicked one’s memory persists “lovely” in the company of the wicked for a time after their demise (many a wicked cherish the thought)? Said wicked one is Gone, pooooof, just like that, no recourse; pooooof, gone forever (Job 14:21, Psa 49:14, 92:7); condemned: “…Therefore the wicked rise not in judgment…” Notice: The wicked rise not. Pooooof, gone forever, for the consummate good of the Elect: “Nor sinners in the company of the righteous…” (“Jacob I Loved, But Easu I Hated”). And again: “…The way of the wicked is lost…” Pooooof. The wicked, they play thee the fool Father God, they wag the tongue at thee, but thou knowest: ”…for Jehovah is knowing…” Thou remainest, but they, fools (Psa 14:1, 49:20), disappear, pooooof. The Righteous, blessed, praise thee Father God, yea, forever, and ever, and ever, whom thou hast redeemed, to be with thee, forever; sweet Blessedness.
Praised be thy Name Father God Jehovah, we thank thee, and love thee exceedingly, thy manner of Life; thy Reality, thy Truth (“Ti Estin Alhqeia?” [what is truth?]).