This Psalm, right at the very outset of the whole book of Psalms has our focus upon instruction concerning good and evil. In contrasting the character and condition of godly people against the wicked there is a call to examine the path of our own lives – which side of the path are you standing upon?

This Psalm is often classed as wisdom, inasmuch as it contains characteristics that are common within that genre (uplifting Torah, contrasting 2 ways of living), and can be divided into 3 sections which we can look at below:

1) The Way of the Righteous (v1-3)
2) The Way of the Wicked (v4-5)
3) The Consequence of each Way (v6)

THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS (1-3)

Here in the first verse of the Psalm we are to consider what true happiness is really all about? We are told that happiness lies along the path of goodness, in rejected the advice of the wicked, in refusing to join in with sinful actions. In essence, true happiness is only found in relationship with God.
Here within the context of Old Testament times, Torah – God’s law, and obedience to that law was what distinguished Israel from those around them. The Psalmist describes those who take delight in God’s laws are “like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season…” v3 (NRSV)
Just think on that image for a moment. Picture it – a tree, by water, bearing fruit, prospering. If you spend time meditating on God’s word, you will find your life will be shaped by what you absorb, and bear fruit that benefits others. Fruit of course never appears immediately, it is always something that takes time. The blessing in their experience is not necessarily evidenced monetarily or in external things, but by the character of their lives and the presence of God.

Mortimer J. Adler, in Ten Philosophical Mistakes, makes the  observation that “people generally espouse the mistake made by most modern philosophers—that happiness is a psychological state rather than an ethical state, i.e., the quality of a morally good life.”

THE WAY OF THE WICKED (4-5)

In contrast to the initial verses we are drawn to consider the way of the wicked. They are given less attention than the righteous, and rightly so – they “are like chaff that the wind drives away…”
The term “wicked” used here probably refers to those who live outside of the covenant relationship with God. In the prophetic writing of Malachi we are told that we will see a “difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.” (Mal 3:18).
The image of the chaff being blown away would have been a familiar image in Ancient Israel, where the farmer would have been winnowing the grain. As he tossed it into the air, the chaff is blown away in the evening wind and the grain is left to fall onto the threshing floor to be gathered. Figuratively chaff describes that which is worthless or trash. Such people (those outside covenant relationship) live worthless lives, and ultimately will received the Lord’s judgement for rejecting relationship with him.

THE CONSEQUENCE OF EACH WAY (6)

As we conclude the tale of two ways – the righteous/happy life, or the wicked/futile way, we are told that ultimately the Lord is watching over the way of the righteous but the wicked, in contrast will perish.
What does this mean? Does God not care for everyone? What does it mean that God “watches” over the righteous?

To watch over implies a knowledge of what you are doing. God knows everything, he knows the way of the righteous. I think  this is not implying that God does not care for all, or that he only “knows” about the righteous. The implication is that God is invloved in caring for the righteous and enabling them to bear fruit (like what we read in the first 3 verses).
On the other hand, the wicked, those who reject relationship with God, suffer the consequence of that choice, in terms of separation from God. The “wicked” have chosen to reject God’s involvement in their lives, whereas the righteous engage in God daily, and thus know his care and enabling within their situations.

Other Bloggers on Psalm 1:
Carole McDonnell

Related posts:

1. Psalm 1: Reflection
2. >Psalm 22 – A forsaken Soul?
3. How to Read Psalms (Part 2)