INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 1 This psalm, though without a title, may reasonably be thought to be a psalm of David; since the next psalm, which is also without a title, is ascribed to him, Acts 4:25; and since both are joined together as one psalm by the Jews k; Acts 13:33; and since this is the general... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED [IS] THE MAN,.... This psalm begins in like manner as Christ's sermon on the mount, Matthew 5:3; setting forth the praises and expressing the happiness of the man who is described in this verse and Psalms 1:2. The words may be rendered, "O, the blessednesses of the man", or "of this man" l;... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HIS DELIGHT [IS] IN THE LAW OF THE LORD,.... Not the law of nature, which was inscribed on Adam's heart in innocence, but now greatly impaired by sin, and become very imperfect and very insufficient to make men happy, or to lead them to true felicity; nor the law of Moses, which is a fiery law,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SHALL BE LIKE A TREE PLANTED BY THE RIVERS OF WATER,.... Or, "for then shall he be", c. as Alshech renders the words and the Hebrew "vau" is often used for "then" q. As Psalms 1:1 describe the man who is blessed, this points at his blessedness, and shows and proves him to be an happy man; for... [ Continue Reading ]
THE UNGODLY [ARE] NOT SO,.... They are not as the good man is; their manner and course of life are different; they walk in the counsel of ungodly men, like themselves, and take counsel against the Lord, his Anointed, and his people: they stand in the way of sinners, and steer their conversation acco... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE THE UNGODLY SHALL NOT STAND IN THE JUDGMENT,.... Neither in temporal judgment, when God comes forth in a way of wrath and sore displeasure; for who can stand before him when he is angry? what are chaff and stubble, thorns and briers, to consuming fire? nor in the last and great day of judg... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LORD KNOWETH THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS,.... The way in which he walks by faith, which is in Jesus Christ; the way in which he goes to the Father, and carries to him his sacrifices of prayer and praise, which meet with acceptance through him; the way in which he seeks for and expects justifica... [ Continue Reading ]