What is the main point of Psalm 1?

Answer 1

Psalm 1:1-6

1. Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.
2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night.
3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in season; its leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
4. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 1 is the first of 150 Psalms and is an introduction to the others in this book.

It establishes the contrast between two types of people which are described as godly or ungodly, and highlights a progression of wise or unwise alternatives which are to be faced individually in life.

Verse 1: Blessed is the man: Happiness, good fortune, and prosperity in this life can be inferred but this extends, as we see in verse 5, to God's favour in the Day of Judgement and thereafter.

• Walking not in the counsel of the ungodly means refusing to follow any advice to behave as an unbeliever, choosing not to go in a direction with those whose objectives ignore the will of God.
• Nor standing in the way of sinners means not contemplating a level of involvement that involves "missing the mark" or sinning as a way of life in association with people of bad character.
• Nor sitting in the seat of scoffers means not accepting a comfortable place among those who have no regard for what is right, and not settling in with those who indulge in mocking godly truth.

Verse 2: But his delight: Lighting up the heart and soul and mind with divine inspiration, the law of the Lord brings refreshment and hope as it is contemplated and thoughtfully reflected upon in a continual rehearsing of God's standards in all situations.

Verse 3: And he shall be like a tree: The quality of life available to an "evergreen Christian" is not temporary because, as a strong, upright tree, he is firmly positioned to endure hardships and produce evidence of God's sustenance, which is symbolised in the reference to rivers of water. The closeness to God comes through studying His Word, following His Way, and obeying His Will.

Verse 4: The ungodly are not so: The life which has no root cannot absorb spiritual strength from God and is so dry and light that the wind of the Holy Spirit blows it away as worthless chaff.

Verse 5: Therefore the ungodly shall not stand:God's righteous judgment upon the ungodly will leave them in a state of collapse with no support and as unrepentant sinners they are refused any of the blessings that the godly, righteous saints of God enjoy together for eternity in God's presence.

Verse 6: For the Lord knows the way of the righteous: Here we have the summary and conclusion of this introductory Psalm. Two types of people, the godly and the ungodly. Two different ways, of those who are saved and of those who perish; and the loving Lord Jesus Christ has intimate knowledge and everlasting affection for the right way, because He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Answer 2

Psalm 1 contrasts a godly person and an ungodly person, one is like a tree that bears fruit the other is like chaff.

The godly person is compared to a tree that is planted by water. This person has a never-failing supply of nourishment and refreshment. He displays the graces of the Spirit, and his words and actions are always timely and appropriate. His spiritual life is not subject to cyclical changes but is characterized by continuous inner renewal. This kind of man shall prosper in everything he undertakes. The reason, of course, is that he is living in fellowship with the Lord, and all his service is therefore guided by the Holy Spirit.

The ungodly are neither well-planted, fruitful, enduring nor prosperous. Like chaff, they lack body or substance. When the storms of life blow, they prove unstable. A strong wind drives them away.

The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment. They will, of course, appear before God at the Judgment of the Great White Throne. But they will have no adequate defense.

Furthermore, they will never stand in the congregation of the righteous; they will be forever excluded from the company of those who are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Answer 3

Happy is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of the scornful.

Rather, his delight is in the teachings of the Lord; and in His Torah he speaks day and night.

He shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, that produces its fruit in season, and whose leaves do not wither; and in whatever he does he shall prosper.

Not so the wicked, who are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked shall not endure in judgment, nor shall sinners be in the congregation of the righteous.

For the Lord regards the way of the righteous; but the way of the wicked shall perish.

Answer 4

It outlines the 2 ways you can live and the consequences of whichever path you walk

Answer 5

Psalm 1 is a wisdom or Torah psalm. It also serves as an introduction to the entire book.

Answer 6

Psalm 1 is classed as a wisdom psalm.