Psalm 1: biblical study and interpretation

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Do you know Psalm 1? This mighty text speaks of the wicked and the righteous. God shows us how to be a blessed person and avoid the counsel that drives us away from the divine path. See the Psalm’s words and its interpretation below.

Words of Psalm 1

¹Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
²but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
³That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

⁴Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
⁵Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

⁶For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Interpretation of Psalm 1

Do you know the difference between the ungodly and the righteous? The righteous are those who preach divine justice. Therefore, the wicked are those insensitive, indifferent people who practice barbarities against others.

Some may say: But are not we all equal before God? Every human being was made by God and created to follow him. But there is a difference between one who lives according to the will and the word of God and one who opposes the challenge of the desires of the creator. God Himself tells us this through Psalm 1.

Meaning of Psalm 1 verses

Verse 1

Those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked are those who do not allow themselves to be molded by worldly and sinful standards, not to be influenced by counsels that go against God’s will.

All human beings are sinners, imperfect, and subject to error. But we can flee from the path of sinners, to know that it is wrong and to turn away from it.

Those who mock God, sacred things or even other people, are disrespectful. Therefore, stay away from these people who only preach evil and speak evil of others, especially those who say things that go against the will of God.

Verse 2

When a person has no pleasure in hearing and following the teachings of God, it is considered that he or she has lost their faith, or has had a spiritual death. We need to meditate on the words of God to find comfort and pleasure through it.

We have to feed daily on divine wisdom to keep our faith and our spirit alive, just as we need to feed ourselves to keep our physical body alive.

Verse 3

Who does not want to be a tree planted by streams of water and never withers? This is a metaphor that shows that whoever is close to God, nourishing himself with his divine wisdom will always bear fruit, in due time.

God gives this to the righteous, to those who love him, who defend his teachings and enjoy living according to the divine will.

Verse 4

It is important to note that not all plants survive; some dry up to die. With the wicked, the same thing happens. They do not feed on divine mercy, they mock God and sacred things, and no water comes to them to feed. They gradually “wither” until they become dry straws.

Verses 5 and 6

The way of the wicked is a destination that is not worth it. Many turn away from the designs of God, thinking that this will have no consequences. But the truth is that God is Faithful, and if he says that the way of the wicked will perish, sooner or later they will be doomed.

Psalm 1: biblical study and interpretation

Words of Psalm 1

Interpretation of Psalm 1