Blessed is the one
who does not follow the counsel of the wicked,
stand upon the path of sinners,
or sit among those who mock,
but whose delight is in the instruction of the Lord
and who reflects upon it day and night.
That person will be like a tree
planted beside flowing water,
which bears fruit in its season
and whose leaves do not wither.
What such a person does will bear good fruit.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff carried away by the wind.
The wicked will not stand firm in judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
Explanation of Psalm 1
A Short Summary of Psalm 1
Psalm 1 presents two ways of living. Those who reject evil and delight in God's instruction become like a well-watered tree: rooted, fruitful, and resilient. Those who choose wickedness become like chaff, without roots or lasting direction.
God offers forgiveness to those who sincerely repent and calls every person away from sin. The psalm invites us to remain close to him through our choices, to meditate on his word, and to trust that he knows and guards the path of the righteous.