Psalms 1

A Description of the Godly mans happy life and conversation, in opposition to the preserve and wretched course and condition of the wicked or ungodly.

1. Happy indeed [Or Right happy: having the promise of this life, and of that to come, 1 Tim.4.8.] is the man, [i.e. the person (home) see Job 12.on v.10.] that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, [or godless, wicked, unrighteous, dishonest, unquiet, See Numbers 35.on v.31. i.e. that doth not square, nor lead his life, according to their counsels, or instigations, or, that entreth not in consultation with them, for to devise, design, determine and decree any evil or mischievous practice, see Job 21:16.] nor standeth upon the may, [i.e. hath communion, or nothing to do with the manner of living, evil courses, and lewd conversation, (see Gen.on ver.12. and bel.v.6.)] of sinners, [i.e. of those that live in a course, and make a Trade of sinning; in whom sin hath gotten the upper hand and reigning power. So likewise below v.5. and Psalms 26:9. and 104.35. Eccles.2.26. and 9.2. Isaiah 65:20. Matth.26.45. Romans 5:8. See also 1 Samuel 15.on v.18.] nor sitteth in the Seat [or, chair, sitting-place, (as Psalm 107.v.32.)] of the mockers; [i.e. doth not haunt those places where such mockers and scoffers, have their meetings and randevours, to make their sport and a meer mock of all goodness and godliness, like a company of brutish and reprobate wretches.]

2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, [Or, in the Doctrine, etc. For by the word Thorah, elsewhere, and generally throughout this book, there is understood the whole Doctrine, contained in the written word of God, or holy Scriptures.] and he considereth his Law, [Heb. properly, he shall consider, meditate, or commune, viz. Both with his heart and tongue: and so in the sequel. This permutation of times or renses, is very usual with Hebrews, (as in the former verse, the Hebrew is properly, hath walked, stood, sat,): We use it sometimes in our own vulgar Idiom, to say in like manner, a honest man shall or will not do such a thing; The wicked shall or will do thus and thus: a good tree will bring forth her fruit in due season, i.e. an honest man doth no such thing; he doth not use to do so: the wicked on the contrary, he doth it and is used to do it, &c.] day and night. [i.e. when he awaketh in the night; or else, breaking his sleep many times for that end. Compare Psalms 16:7. and 17.3. and 63.7. and 77.7. and 88.2. and 119.55,62. The meaning is, he doth constantly, in all seasons, and on all occasions.]

3. For he shall be as a Tree planted by the water brooks, [Hebr. properly, partings, or dividing of waters, i.e. branching streams, arms and rivelets, of great waters, running this way and that way. Compare Psalms 46:5. Prov.5.16.] that giveth [or yieldeth] his fruit in his season, [or, time, i.e. in due time, in the proper season. So Leviticus 26:4. Psalms 104:27. And 145.15. Jerem.5.24.] and whose leaf doth not fall off: [the falling of the leaves, doth presuppose their withering; therefore some do read here, withered not. Compare Isaiah 34:4.] and all what he doth [the righteous, viz. And godly man, who is compared to a Tree.] shall speed well. [or, prosper, thrive, or, (therein) he shall be successful. Compare Gen.39.2. 2 Chron.31.21. etc 32.30. and see Romans 8:28. Some do refer this to the Tree, to whom the righteous is compared: Thus, what so ever he bringeth forth (Heb. maketh, or doeth) shall prosper; and that because the word making, is used elsewhere for bringing forth of Fruit. See Isa.5.on verse 4,10. Jerem.12.on verse 2. And 17.on verse 8. And compare Matth.3.8,10.]

4. SO are not the ungodly, [viz. As such a Tree, and as the righteous is,] but as the chaff which the winds dispelleth. [or driveth, hurrieth away.]

5. Therefore the ungodly shall not subsist in judgement, [But fall and be overthrown, when God beginneth once to excute his judgements against the wicked in this world: but especially when they shall be condemned by the son of God, and sent away to Hell; whereas on the contrary the congregation of the righteous, shall be enabled to stand before God, and enter at last into everlasting glory. See Matth.25.41,46, &c.] nor the sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6. For the LORD knoweth [i.e. affecteth, taketh pleasure in, is delighted with, approveth of and tenderly careth for, compare Genesis 18.on .19. Deut.2.7. Psal.31.8. et 101.4. Nah.1.7. Matth.7.23. and chap.25.12. 1 Thes.5.12.] the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.