Psalm 1 — The Blessed and the Wicked

If you wish to declare someone blessed you learn how to do so and whom to call upon and the words to say in Psalm 1.  

Athanasius, On the Interpretation of the Psalms 15

I won't put the whole psalm every time, but for our first look, let's  have the whole thing. 

Keep in mind that this psalm is meant as a foundation to understanding the entire book of psalms. That was a new idea for me — the psalms were put by editors into specific order. Well, it seems obvious when you say it, but I've always just thought of them as a general collection. 

Let's begin!

¹ Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
² but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.
³ He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water,
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.

⁴ The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff which the wind drives away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
⁶ for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.

I always love any reference to the tree planted by streams of water, which pops up in various places in the Old Testament. It is a favorite image. Here there's a little extra interest because it is contrasted with the chaff later on. Of course, if a plant doesn't have enough water, what happens? It withers and eventually will disintegrate and blow away. If hard times come and you don't have deep roots in the water, that is your fate. If you aren't rooted in the solid worship and word of God that's what happens. 

 Let's get a bit of insight from some wise men who have meditated upon these words over time.

Hebrew text of Psalm 1:1-2

1:1a Blessed Is the Man

Foundational for the Book of Psalms, Basil the Great: Like the foundation in a house, the keel in a ship and the heart in a body, so is (Psalm 1 as a) brief introduction to the whole structure of the Psalms. For when David intended to purpose in the course of his speech to the combatants of true religion many painful tasks involving unmeasured sweats and toils, he showed first the happy end, that in the hope of the blessings reserve for us we might endure witout grief the sufferings of this life. Homilies on the Psalms 10.3

==========

The Crown to Be Conferred, Ambrose: What a delightfully apt beginning! Those who wish for a grand display and a great celebration to add glory to the games generally promise a prize. They make much of the honor of the crown to be conferred. All this is to make the contestants more eager to take part and to strain every nerve in order to win. This is what our Lord Jesus does. He promises us the glory of a heavenly kingdom, the sweetness of everlasting rest, the happiness of eternal life. Commentary on Twelve Psalms 1.13

1:4 Like Dust Blown by the Wind

Driven by Every Temptation, Chrysostom: Even as chaff lies exposed to the gusts of wind and is easily caught up and swept along, so is also the sinner driven about by every temptation; for while a sinner is at war with himself and bears the warfare about with him, what hope of safety does he possess; betrayed as he is at home, carrying with him that conscience that is a constant enemy? Homilies Concerning the Statues 8.4.

Psalms 1-50 (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture)

This comment really struck home for me, thinking of the master gardener planting the tree deliberately and the idea of thriving where I am planted. This also resonates when I think of my gardening daughter, Rose's, care and nurturing of her plants and how she delights when they thrive under her carefully plan for the correct environment for each.

The faithful tree is not simply a wild oak that takes its position by happenstance. Those who delight in Yaweh's torah are "planted" (a passive participle) — as by a master gardener — in the place where they can receive the nourishment they need to flourish. Like a tree planted in a conservatory, well watered and provided with a protective climate, the leaves of this tree never wither, and is able to remain consistently faithful.

Psalms Volume 1 (The NIV Application Commentary)

Here's a lovely reflection from a more modern wise man that takes us into considering how God provided for Jesus' upbringing with a righteous man.

Psalm 1 presents the classic image of the ‘just' man. We might well think of it as a portrait of the spiritual figure of Saint Joseph. A just man, it tells us, is one who maintains living contact with the word of God, who ‘delights in the law of the Lord’ (v. 2). He is like a tree, planted beside the flowing waters, constantly bringing forth fruit. The flowing waters, from which he draws nourishment, naturally refer to the living word of God, into which he sinks the roots of his being. God’s will is not a law imposed on him from without, it is ‘joy.’

Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives

Sources are here and an index of psalm posts is here.