Psalm 1:4-6 NIV

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

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 1:4

The ungodly are not so ; or, the wicked (see the comment on Psalms 1:1 . But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away . "Chaff" is used throughout Scripture as an emblem of what is weak and worthless (see Job 21:18 ; Psalms 35:5 ; Isaiah 5:24 ; Isaiah 17:13 ; Isaiah 29:5 ; Isaiah 33:11 ; Isaiah 41:15 ; Jeremiah 23:28 ; Daniel 2:35 ; Hosea 13:3 ; Zephaniah 2:2 ; Matthew 3:12 ; Luke 3:17 ). In ancient times it was considered of no value at all, and when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:5

Therefore the ungodly (or, the wicked ) shall not stand in the judgment . "Therefore," as being chaff, i.e. "destitute of spiritual vitality" (Kay), "the wicked shall not stand," or shall not rise up , " in the judgment," i.e. in the judgment of the last day. So the Targum, Rashi, Dr. Kay, Canon Cook, and others. It is certainly not conceivable that any human judgment is intended by "the judgment" ( הַמִּשְׁפָט ), and though possibly "all manifestations of God's punitive... read more

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 1:5

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