Psalm 1:2-3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 1:2

But his delight - His pleasure; his happiness. Instead of finding his happiness in the society and the occupations of the wicked, he finds it in the truth of God. The law or truth of God is not distasteful to him, but he so delights in it as to desire to become more and more acquainted with it, and to have its truths impressed more and more on his heart.In the law of the Lord - The law of Yahweh - the small capitals in the translation indicating here as elsewhere that the original word is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 1:3

And he shall be like a tree - A description of the happiness or prosperity of the man who thus avoids the way of sinners, and who delights in the law of God, now follows. This is presented in the form of a very beautiful image - a tree planted where its roots would have abundance of water.Planted by the rivers of water - It is not a tree that springs up spontaneously, but one that is set out in a favorable place, and that is cultivated with care. The word “rivers” does not here quite express... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 1:2

Psalms 1:2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord In the study and practice of it, as appears from the context. Having described the character of the truly blessed man negatively, in the preceding verse, he, in this, speaks of it positively. The law of God may be here understood of the whole doctrine delivered by God to his church, consisting of doctrines, precepts, promises, and threatenings, &c.; or more particularly of the preceptive part of it, which is commonly called his... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 1:3

Psalms 1:3. And, or For, he shall be like a tree, &c. This is the proof of that blessedness of a good man which he had only asserted, Psalms 1:1. He shall be fruitful and flourishing. By his meditations on the law of God, his graces and virtues shall be nourished and increased, and he shall be thoroughly furnished for every good word and work. The means of grace are those rivers of water near which the trees of righteousness are planted, and from these they receive supplies of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

Pslam 1 The godly and the ungodlyThis psalm is really an introduction to the whole collection. It shows the life of the godly and the reward it brings, and the life of the ungodly and the judgment it will receive. God is the supreme controller of each person’s destiny, and he orders everything according to his own righteousness.In both their thought and their behaviour, the godly are different from others. They are constantly increasing their knowledge of God’s Word, and as they allow that Word... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 1:2

the law = instruction: i.e. the whole Pentateuch which contains it. meditate: i.e. continually and habitually. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 1:3

be = become, or prove. Figure of speech Simile. App-6 . Like a tree. The first of two comparisons. See Psalms 1:4 . planted: i.e. in a garden. Not a "tree of the field". rivers = divisions irrigating a garden. Hebrew. palgey-mayim. See note on Proverbs 21:1 . prosper. Compare Genesis 39:3 , Genesis 39:23 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 1:2

"But his delight is in the law of Jehovah;And on his law doth he meditate day and night."In the last analysis, it is what men desire in their hearts that determines destiny. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).Men who do not actually desire the glory of God and the ultimate triumph of truth and righteousness shall, of course, never attain any status of being acceptable to God."Meditate day and night ..." This earmark of any servant of God is precisely the reason why it is... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 1:3

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water,That bringeth forth its fruit in its season,Whose leaf also doth not wither;And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."The first three lines here are a simile comparing a righteous person with a favorably planted fruit tree, the constant nourishment of which is supplied by the streams of water; and just as the drying up of those streams would destroy any such tree, the intended lesson for men is that any cessation of reading, hearing and... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 1:3

Psalms 1:3. Like a tree planted by the rivers of water— It is observed by Fleury, in his excellent dissertation concerning this and several other psalms of the like kind, whose subjects are purely moral, that the want of tender expressions and pathetic sentiments is sufficiently compensated by beautiful paintings, fine metaphors, and noble comparisons. The literal sense of the word פלגי palgei rendered rivers, is divisions, which may refer to the custom of conveying water to orchards or gardens... read more

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