2 But -- in the law of Jehovah `is' his delight, And in His law he doth meditate by day and by night:
the book of this law doth not depart out of thy mouth, and thou hast meditated in it by day and by night, so that thou dost observe to do according to all that is written in it, for then thou dost cause thy way to prosper, and then thou dost act wisely.
Cause me to tread in the path of Thy commands, For in it I have delighted.
Unless Thy law `were' my delights, Then had I perished in mine affliction.
for I delight in the law of God according to the inward man,
In Thy precepts I meditate, And I behold attentively Thy paths. In Thy statutes I delight myself, I do not forget Thy word.
`Mem.' O how I have loved Thy law! All the day it `is' my meditation. Than mine enemies Thy command maketh me wiser, For it `is' before me to the age. Above all my teachers I have acted wisely. For Thy testimonies `are' my meditation.
The command of His lips, and I depart not. Above my allotted portion I have laid up The sayings of His mouth.
Thy words have been found, and I eat them, And Thy word is to me for a joy, And for the rejoicing of my heart, For Thy name is called on me, O Jehovah, God of Hosts.
`Aleph.' O the happiness of those perfect in the way, They are walking in the law of Jehovah,
of these things be careful; in these things be, that thy advancement may be manifest in all things;
And I delight myself in Thy commands, That I have loved, And I lift up my hands unto Thy commands, That I have loved, And I do meditate on Thy statutes!
Better to me `is' the law of Thy mouth Than thousands of gold and silver!
and shall not God execute the justice to His choice ones, who are crying unto Him day and night -- bearing long in regard to them?
I am thankful to God, whom I serve from progenitors in a pure conscience, that unceasingly I have remembrance concerning thee in my supplications night and day,
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 1
Commentary on Psalms 1 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 1
Ps 1:1-6. The character and condition, and the present and future destiny, of the pious and the wicked are described and contrasted, teaching that true piety is the source of ultimate happiness, and sin of misery. As this is a summary of the teachings of the whole book, this Psalm, whether designedly so placed or not, forms a suitable preface.
1. Blessed—literally, "oh, the happiness"—an exclamation of strong emotion, as if resulting from reflecting on the subject. The use of the plural may denote fulness and variety (2Ch 9:7).
counsel … way … seat—With their corresponding verbs, mark gradations of evil, as acting on the principles, cultivating the society, and permanently conforming to the conduct of the wicked, who are described by three terms, of which the last is indicative of the boldest impiety (compare Ps 26:4, 5; Jer 15:17).
2. law—all of God's word then written, especially the books of Moses (compare Ps 119:1, 55, 97, &c.).
3. like a tree—(Jer 17:7, 8).
planted—settled, fast.
by—or, "over."
the rivers—canals for irrigation.
shall prosper—literally, "make prosper," brings to perfection. The basis of this condition and character is given (Ps 32:1).
4. not so—either as to conduct or happiness.
like the chaff—which, by Eastern modes of winnowing against the wind, was utterly blown away.
5. stand in the judgment—be acquitted. They shall be driven from among the good (Mt 25:45, 46).
6. knoweth the way—attends to and provides for them (Ps 101:6; Pr 12:10; Ho 13:5).
way of the wicked—All their plans will end in disappointment and ruin (Ps 37:13; 146:8; Pr 4:19).