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.
Read it in contextThe Two Ways
Start reading at Psalms 1:1 (Psalms 1:1 to Psalms 1:6).
Psalm 1 is a complete wisdom psalm, serving as an introduction to the entire book of Psalms, contrasting the righteous and the wicked.
1:1Blessed 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.
1:2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
1:3And 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.
1:4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
1:5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
1:6For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 1:1–1:6): The wisdom speaker instructs hearers about the righteous and the wicked. The psalm is instruction for readers, not a prayer addressed directly to God. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is the blessedness and prosperity of the righteous man who delights in the law of the LORD, contrasted with the ultimate perishing of the ungodly. The verse specifically describes the flourishing state of the righteous man using the metaphor of a well-nourished tree.
What is God revealing? God is revealing that true blessedness and lasting prosperity come from a life dedicated to His law and avoiding the ways of the wicked. He demonstrates that He knows and cares for the righteous, while the ungodly will face judgment and perish.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, specifically a wisdom psalm, characterized by parallelism, metaphor (the tree), and stark contrast between two ways of life.
When
When was it written? The book of Psalms was collected over a long period, approximately from 1400 to 450 B.C. book background
When does the event take place? The events described are not a single historical occurrence but rather a timeless depiction of the spiritual state and consequences for the righteous and the ungodly, applying continuously throughout history. interpretation
Where
Where did it happen? The passage describes a spiritual condition and its outcomes rather than a specific geographical event. The principles apply universally. interpretation
Where was the author located? The authors of the Psalms were located in Israel. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Two Ways (Psalms 1:1 to Psalms 1:6).
Start reading at Psalms 1:1. Psalm 1 is a complete wisdom psalm, serving as an introduction to the entire book of Psalms, contrasting the righteous and the wicked.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalm 1 serves as a foundational introduction to the entire book of Psalms, setting the stage for the themes of righteousness, wickedness, God's law, and divine judgment that are explored throughout the collection. It establishes the two fundamental paths of life and their ultimate destinies. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? Jesus Christ is the ultimate 'blessed man' who perfectly fulfilled the description of Psalm 1:1-3. He never walked in the counsel of the ungodly, delighted perfectly in the law of the LORD, and meditated on it day and night. He is the true 'tree planted by the rivers of water,' always bringing forth fruit in season, whose leaf never withers, and whatsoever He did prospered according to God's will. Believers, by being united with Christ, are made righteous and, abiding in Him, are enabled to bear fruit. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Today, believers are called to actively choose the path of righteousness by delighting in God's Word, meditating on it continually, and intentionally avoiding the influences and ways of the ungodly. By doing so, they can trust that God will nourish their spiritual lives, enable them to bear fruit for His glory, and grant them true, lasting prosperity that transcends worldly circumstances. interpretation
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 1
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.