Psalm 1:4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 1:4-6

Here is, I. The description of the ungodly given, Ps. 1:4. 1. In general, they are the reverse of the righteous, both in character and condition: They are not so. The LXX. emphatically repeats this: Not so the ungodly; they are not so; they are led by the counsel of the wicked, in the way of sinners, to the seat of the scornful; they have no delight in the law of God, nor ever think of it; they bring forth no fruit but grapes of Sodom; they cumber the ground. 2. In particular, whereas the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 1:4

The ungodly are not so ,.... They are not as the good man is; their manner and course of life are different; they walk in the counsel of ungodly men, like themselves, and take counsel against the Lord, his Anointed, and his people: they stand in the way of sinners, and steer their conversation according to the course of the world, and sit in the seat of the scornful; laugh at divine revelation, lampoon the Scriptures, deride good men, make a jest of religion and a future state: they have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 1:4

The ungodly are not so - The Vulgate and Septuagint, and the versions made from them, such as the Ethiopic and Arabic, double the last negation, and add a clause to the end of the verse, "Not so the ungodly, not so; they shall be like the dust which the wind scatters away from the face of the earth." There is nothing solid in the men; there is nothing good in their ways. They are not of God's planting; they are not good grain; they are only chaff, and a chaff that shall be separated from the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 1:4

Verse 4 The Psalmist might, with propriety, have compared the ungodly to a tree that speedily withers, as Jeremiah likens them to the heath which grows in the wilderness, (Jeremiah 17:6) But not reckoning this figure sufficiently strong, he debases them by employing another, which represents them in a light still more contemptible: and the reason is, that he does not keep his eye on the prosperous condition of which they boast for a short time, but his mind is seriously pondering on the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

Commentators have generally recognized that this psalm is introductory and prefatory. Jerome says that many called it "the Preface of the Holy Ghost." Some of the Fathers did not even regard it as a psalm at all, but as a mere preface, and so reckoned the second psalm as the first (in many manuscripts of the New Testament, the reading is "first psalm" instead of "second psalm" in Acts 13:33 ). The composition is, as Hengstenberg observes, "a short compendium of tile main subject of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

The title: The Book of Psalms: the Psalms-their variety and value. In the Book of Psalms, or, strictly speaking, in the five Books of Psalms, we have illustrations of most of the varied kinds of documents of which the entire Bible is made up. In their entirety the collection forms the Hebrews' 'Book of Praise,' or, as Professor Cheyne puts it, 'The Praises of Israel.' £ It is probable, however, that very few, in their private devotions, read all the Psalms with equal frequency or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

The happy man. The word "blessed" means" happy." The phrase used might, indeed, be rendered, "Hail to the man," etc.! The psalm itself may be called "a psalm of congratulations," for the psalmist regards the man whom he here describes as one who has great reason for gladness, and who therefore may be fittingly congratulated. Ages ago the heathen said, "Call no man happy till he is dead." But we have before us the picture of one who is certainly happy even now; who has a joy, of which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

The blessedness of the true. "God is Love." He must, therefore, seek the happiness of his creatures. Man is the highest of his earthly creatures, and his happiness must be of the highest kind, not only fit for him to receive, but worthy of to bestow. Such is the happiness here depicted. It does not come anyhow, but in accordance with law. It does not depend upon what a man has, but upon what he is. It is inward, not outward. It is of the spirit, not of the flesh. Happiness is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

Character. This psalm supplies us with— I. TEST OF CHARACTER . A man is known by the company he keeps. What doest thou, O my soul? With whom dost thou "walk" and "sit' ( Psalms 119:63 )? II. RULE OF LIFE . What should we do? Surely the right thing is to ask counsel of God, and to submit ourselves to his holy and blessed rule. Let us do this, and we shall not only have life ( Psalms 40:8 ), but food ( John 4:44 ); and not only food, but society ( Matthew 12:50 );... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 1:4-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 1:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 1:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 1:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

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