Psalms Chapter 1 (KJV)
Psalms 1
The importance of God's law and meditation on itThe contrast between the righteous and the wickedDivine judgment and the ultimate fate of both the righteous and wickedThe concept of blessing in relation to righteousnessThe sovereignty of God in knowing and directing the paths of humanity
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. {ungodly: or, wicked}
But his delight {is} in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
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. {wither: Heb. fade}
The ungodly {are} not so: but {are} like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Context & Meaning
Psalm 1 presents a stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked, describing the blessedness of those who delight in God's law and meditate on it day and night, comparing them to a fruitful tree planted by water. In contrast, the wicked are like chaff that the wind drives away, destined for judgment while the righteous are assured of God's knowledge and care.