Psalms 1:1

1. Blessed Hebrew, blessings. The plural may stand for intensity, as “O, the exceeding happiness of the man!” etc., or for the variety of blessings belonging to such a character. It is treated simply as an idiom in our version, and translated ad sensum. The blessing, (Psalms 1:1-3,) is followed by the cursing, (Psalms 1:4-6,) as the voice from Gerizim was by that from Ebal. Deuteronomy 26:12-13; compare Matthew 7:24-27. See note on John 4:5.

Walketh not “Walking” figuratively denotes the habit of daily life. The description begins with negatives and advances to the positive, in order that by contrast the picture may be the more imposing.

Ungodly The word is usually translated wicked, and may denote any degree of moral turpitude; but as a rhetorical climax is indicated in the verse, it is supposed to denote simply a man devoid of true piety, though in other respects moral.

Standeth The idea is that of to persist, to abide, to persevere in, as Ecclesiastes 8:3; 2 Kings 23:3.

Sinners A generic term for all who have missed the mark, wandered out of the way transgressors.

Sitteth in the seat A phrase indicating a finished work of unbelief. The description given of the scorner everywhere in the book of Proverbs is the best comment on the word. His iniquity is full; there is but a step between him and eternal death. The word “seat” is translated assembly in Psalms 107:32, and its radical sense would justify that rendering here, though in both cases “seat” gives a better sense.

Of the scornful Those who treat the divine law, and all godly obligation, with contempt and derision utter mockers. This is about the farthest point in sin to which the transgressor can go. Hebrews 10:29; Matthew 12:31. Noticeable is the threefold parallelism of “ungodly,” “sinner,” “scornful;” further severally distinguished by “counsel,” “way,” and “seat;” through which the unwary soul passes by “walking,” “standing,” “sitting.”