Psalm 1:1-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 1:1-3

The psalmist begins with the character and condition of a godly man, that those may first take the comfort of that to whom it belongs. Here is, I. A description of the godly man's spirit and way, by which we are to try ourselves. The Lord knows those that are his by name, but we must know them by their character; for that is agreeable to a state of probation, that we may study to answer to the character, which is indeed both the command of the law which we are bound in duty to obey and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 1:1

Blessed is the man ,.... This psalm begins in like manner as Christ's sermon on the mount, Matthew 5:3 ; setting forth the praises and expressing the happiness of the man who is described in this verse and Psalm 1:2 . The words may be rendered, "O, the blessednesses of the man", or "of this man" F12 אשרי האיש "beatitudines illius viri", Montanus, Vatablus, Gejerus. ; he is doubly blessed, a thrice happy and blessed man; blessed in things temporal and spiritual; happy in this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 1:2

But his delight is in the law of the Lord ,.... Not the law of nature, which was inscribed on Adam's heart in innocence, but now greatly impaired by sin, and become very imperfect and very insufficient to make men happy, or to lead them to true felicity; nor the law of Moses, which is a fiery law, and works wrath, accuses of sin, pronounces guilty, curses and condemns to death; and therefore cannot be delighted in by a sensible sinner, unless as it is in the hands of Christ, and as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 1:3

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water ,.... Or, "for then shall he be", &c.; as Alshech renders the words; and the Hebrew "vau" is often used for "then" F17 Vid. Noldii Concord. Part. Ebr. p. 308. . As Psalm 1:1 describe the man who is blessed, this points at his blessedness, and shows and proves him to be an happy man; for he is comparable to a "tree": not to a dry tree, or a tree without fruit, or whose fruit is withered, but to a fruitful tree, a green and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 1:1

Blessed is the man - This Psalm has no title, and has been generally considered, but without especial reason, as a preface or introduction to the whole book. The word אשרי ashrey , which we translate blessed, is properly in the plural form, blessednesses, or may be considered as an exclamation produced by contemplating the state of the man who has taken God for his portion; O the blessedness of the man! And the word האיש haish , is emphatic: That man; that one among a thousand who... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 1:2

But his delight is in the law of the Lord - חפצו chephtso , his will, desire, affection, every motive in his heart, and every moving principle in his soul, are on the side of God and his truth. He takes up the law of the Lord as the rule of his life; he brings all his actions and affections to this holy standard. He looketh into the perfect law of liberty; and is not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word; and is therefore blessed in his deed. He not only reads to gain knowledge from... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 1:3

Like a tree planted - Not like one growing wild, however strong or luxuriant it may appear; but one that has been carefully cultivated, and for the proper growth of which all the advantages of soil and situation have been chosen. If a child be brought up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord, we have both reason and revelation to encourage us to expect a godly and useful life. Where religious education is neglected, alas! what fruits of righteousness can be expected? An uncultivated... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 1:1

Verse 1 1.Blessed is the man. (19) The meaning of the Psalmist, as I have stated above, is, that it shall be always well with God’s devout servants, whose constant endeavor it is to make progress in the study of his law. The greater part of mankind being accustomed to deride the conduct of the saints as mere simplicity, and to regard their labor as entirely thrown away, it was of importance that the righteous should be confirmed in the way of holiness, by the consideration of the miserable... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 1:2

Verse 2 In the second verse, the Psalmist does not simply pronounce those happy who fear God, as in other places, but designates godliness by the study of the law, teaching us that God is only rightly served when had law is obeyed. It is not left to every man to frame a system of religion according to his own judgment, but the standard of godliness is to be taken from the Word of God. When David here speaks of the law, it ought not to be understood as if the other parts of Scripture should be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 1:3

Verse 3 The Psalmist here illustrates, and, at the same time, confirms by a metaphor the statement made in the preceding verse; for he shows in what respect those who fear God are to be accounted happy, namely, not because they enjoy an evanescent and empty gladness, but because they are in a desirable condition. There is in the words an implied contrast between the vigor of a tree planted in a situation well watered, and the decayed appearance of one which, although it may flourish beautifully... read more

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