Psalm 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

Greatness, happiness, prosperity. We learn here the true ides of— I. GREATNESS . It is not mere intellectual power, but moral worth. Greatness is goodness—the being like God. II. HAPPINESS . It is living together with God, doing his will, in the light and joy of his love. III. PROSPERITY . It is of the soul—the true health of the soul ( 3 John 1:2 ). Its measure is personal activity. Deeds carry social influence. The weak and the unfortunate are too often despised, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

Blessedness. The word "blessed' might Be rendered "blessings." God's people are blessed ( Numbers 6:24 ; Matthew 5:1 - 10). I. There is the blessing of PEACE . The fruit of righteousness is peace. The heart is right with God. II. The Messing of a TRUE PURPOSE . Not gain, nor pleasure, nor merely to save the soul, but to do God's will. This is the supreme thing. This gives strength to the heart and unity to the life. III. The blessing of the NOBLEST SOCIETY . Into... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

A contrast. This psalm is introductory to all the rest, perhaps written after the finding of the "book of the Law" in Josiah's time, in an age of revival, when men were roused to consider the conflict between good and evil, and who were the truly Messed, and on what their blessedness was grounded. There is a contrast drawn in it between the righteous and the wicked. I. THE CHARACTER AND PRIVILEGES OF THE RIGHTEOUS . 1 . They have no sympathetic relations with the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:3

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water . The comparison of a man to a. tree is frequent in the Book of Job ( Job 8:16 , Job 8:17 ; Job 14:7-10 ; Job 15:32 , Job 15:33 , etc.), and occurs once in the Pentateuch ( Numbers 24:6 ). We find it again in Psalms 92:12-14 , and frequently in the prophets. The "rivers of water" spoken of ( פַּלְגַ־מָיִם ) are undoubtedly the "streams" (Revised Version) or "canals of irrigation" so common both in Egypt and in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:3

He shall be like a tree, etc. Among the costly works in which King Solomon exercised his wisdom and displayed his magnificence were gardens rich in fruit trees and watered by channels and reservoirs ( Ecclesiastes 1:5 , Ecclesiastes 1:6 ). Among these would be citrons and oranges, with their lustrous evergreen leaves and golden fruit; palms also, which love water and soil free from all foul decay and refuse. Some have fancied the similitude taken from the oleanders abounding by the... 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 1:3

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 1:3

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 1:3

"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

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