Psalm 1 serves as the gateway to the entire Book of Psalms. It contrasts the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked, setting before the reader two paths and two destinies. It begins with blessing and ends with judgment, inviting every believer to examine where they stand in relation to God’s Word.

Psalm 1:1 — “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.”
The psalm opens with the word “Blessed,” meaning happy, fortunate, or spiritually fulfilled. This blessing is not based on external circumstances but on one’s relationship with God. The righteous person is described first by what he avoids. He refuses to walk according to the advice of the ungodly, meaning he does not take guidance from those who reject God’s truth. He does not “stand in the way of sinners,” which implies identification or participation in sinful behavior. Finally, he does not “sit in the seat of the scornful,” meaning he does not join those who mock God or ridicule righteousness. The progression from walking to standing to sitting shows a deepening level of compromise. The blessed man resists this downward path by refusing the influence of those who lead away from holiness.

Psalm 1:2 — “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
After describing what the blessed man avoids, the psalm now reveals what he loves. His joy is in the “law of the Lord,” which refers not only to commandments but to all of God’s revealed Word. The word “delight” suggests deep pleasure and satisfaction. Meditation here means more than quiet thought. It involves repeating, pondering, and internalizing Scripture. To meditate “day and night” signifies a continual relationship with God’s Word. It shapes decisions, guides thoughts, and fills the believer’s heart. The righteous person finds true joy not in worldly entertainment but in divine truth.

Psalm 1:3 — “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.”
This verse uses the image of a well-watered tree to describe the stability and fruitfulness of the godly life. The tree is not wild but “planted,” suggesting divine placement and purpose. The “rivers of water” symbolize the continual supply of God’s grace and Word that nourishes the soul. “Bringing forth fruit in season” means that the righteous person’s life produces visible results of godliness at the right time, acts of love, patience, faith, and righteousness. “His leaf also shall not wither” represents enduring vitality. Even in adversity, his spiritual life remains alive. Finally, “whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” does not mean material wealth but divine favor and success in God’s purpose. True prosperity is living fruitfully within the will of God.

Psalm 1:4 — “The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.”
Now comes the contrast. The ungodly, those who reject God’s truth, are not like the deeply rooted tree but like chaff, the dry, worthless husks separated from the grain during threshing. Chaff has no weight, no stability, and no life. It is easily carried away by the wind, symbolizing instability and judgment. The image reminds us that apart from God, human life loses eternal value and permanence. The wicked may appear strong for a time, but they lack the rootedness that comes from being anchored in God’s Word.

Psalm 1:5 — “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.”
This verse reveals the eternal outcome of the two ways. “Shall not stand in the judgment” means that the ungodly will not be able to endure God’s righteous verdict. Their excuses will not hold, and their self-confidence will fail. “Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous” signifies exclusion from the fellowship of God’s people. On the day of judgment, God will separate the righteous and the wicked, as Jesus described in Matthew 25:31–46. The ungodly will not share in the eternal inheritance of the redeemed.

Psalm 1:6 — “For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
The psalm concludes by summarizing the entire message. The “way” represents one’s pattern of life and direction. The Lord “knoweth” the way of the righteous, meaning He watches over them with care, approval, and intimate knowledge. His knowing is not mere awareness but covenantal relationship. In contrast, “the way of the ungodly shall perish” ends in destruction and separation from God. One path leads to life, the other to ruin.

Taken together, Psalm 1 presents a picture of two kinds of people, two paths, and two destinies. It calls every reader to choose the way of righteousness, to find delight in God’s Word, and to live a life rooted in divine truth. The psalm’s simplicity hides its profound wisdom. Real happiness comes from holiness, and stability comes from remaining planted in God’s Word. The contrast between the righteous and the wicked serves as a warning and an encouragement. The believer is invited to meditate, obey, and bear fruit, while the ungodly are warned that their lives are unstable and fleeting. Psalm 1 remains as relevant today as it was in ancient Israel. It reminds us that every choice, every action, and every thought either strengthens our rootedness in God or drifts us toward destruction.