“He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.  The ungodly are not so, but are like chaff which the wind drives away.  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous” (Psalm 1:3-5).

Psalm one is a psalm of contrasts.  It sets forth two kinds of people: the righteous and the ungodly.  It sets forth two standards for life: the law of the LORD and ungodly standards which are against the LORD’s will.   It sets forth two walks or manners of life: the way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly.  It sets forth two ends: the righteous are like a tree by water and the ungodly are like chaff.  Let’s consider these things under two headings…

The Righteous   

(1) His standard for life is God’s word.  “His delight is in the law of the LORD and in His law he meditates day and night: (Psalm 1:2).  (a) He delights in God’s word (Psalm 1:2 cf. 40:8; 119:16, 24, 47; Related passages Psalm 19:10-11; 119:72, 103, 127; Job 23:12; Matthew 5:6).  Do we delight in God’s word?  (b) He meditates on God’s word (Psalm 1:2 cf. Psalm 119:15, 23, 48, 97, 99, 148).  The word translated “meditate” (Hebrew hagah) means “to ponder” (Strong’s) or “muse” (BDBG).  [The word in Psalm 119 is a different word (Hebrew Siyach) but conveys the same basic thought].  Do we continually meditate on God’s word day and night?      

(2) His walk is called “the way of the righteous” (Psalm 1:6).  He does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly (Psalm 1:1).  Jeremiah said, “It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).  James teaches that we are to “be doers of the word and not hearers only” (James 1:22).  Are we letting God’s word to direct our lives? 

(3) This man is blessed (Psalm 1:1). All that he does prospers (Psalm 1:2 cf. Romans 8:28). He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water (Psalm 1:3 cf. 92:12-13).  “Rivers” is plural and literally refers to divisions of waters.  This may refer to irrigation canals or ditches.  One writer said, “He is not like a tree just planted anywhere.  This tree is planted where it may receive necessary moisture.  It is a tree that is cultivated and cared for… This is a fruitful tree… Its leaf is unwithering.  Here is fadeless beauty; here is precious permanence” (Robert R. Taylor, Jr., Studies in Psalms, pp. 13-14). 

The Ungodly

(1) His standard is not God’s word.  “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).  The ungodly is not like this.  (a) He follows the counsel of ungodly men.  (b) He does not delight in God’s word (cf. Jeremiah 6:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). 

(2) His walk is called “the way of the ungodly” (Psalm 1:6).  He may, over time, progress and become hardened in sin.  Many see this progression in the verbs: “walks,” “stands,” and “sits” (Psalm 1:1).  First, one listens to and follows sinful counsel.  Next, one begins to closely associate with sinners.  Finally, one becomes settled in sin.  He may even become the one who provides ungodly counsel. 

(3) This man will not be blessed.  (a) He is like chaff (Psalm 1:4).  Webster defines chaff as, “the seed covering and other debris separated from the seed in threshing grain” (merriam-webster.com).  This is the unwanted part of the plant.  (b) He shall not stand in the judgment (Psalm 1:5).  That is, he will not be acquitted.  He will not pass the test.  (c) He will not stand in the congregation of the righteous (Psalm 1:5).  That is, he will not be in this group.  He will not be going to heaven.  He will not have their fellowship.  In which group will we be?