Psalm 1

"Happy is the one"

Purpose: To persuade the hearer that following YHWH's instruction is worthwhile.

Content: It is not the wicked, but the one who follows YHWH's instruction who is "happy." This is because "YHWH cares for the way of righteous people, and the wicked's way will come to an end.

Message: In the end, it's those who follow YHWH's instruction who will flourish.

Author: Anonymous

Videos

Poetic Features Video

Video forthcoming

Overview

Translation

Click 'Expand' to the right to see our Close-but-Clear translation of Psalm 1.

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1. Happy is the one who has not walked in the counsel of wicked people,

has not taken a stand in the way of sinful people,

and has not settled in the dwelling place of insolent people!

2. Instead, his delight is in YHWH's instruction,

and he meditates on his instruction day and night.

3. And he will become like a tree transplanted beside water channels

that gives its fruit in its season

and whose leaves do not wither.

And he will cause all that he does to flourish.

4. Not so the wicked people!

Instead, they will be like chaff that the wind drives away.

5. Therefore, wicked people will not stand firm in the judgment,

and sinful people [will not stand] in the group of righteous people.

6. Because YHWH cares for the way of righteous people,

and the way of wicked people will come to an end.

The Close-but-clear translation (CBC) exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text according to how we understand its syntax and word-to-phrase-level semantics. It is not intended to be used as a stand-alone translation or base text, but as a supplement to Layer-by-Layer materials to help users make full use of these resources.

For links to other translations of Psalm 1, click here.

Verse-by-Verse

Click the link to view all of Psalm 1 Verse-by-Verse, or click on an individual verse below.

• v. 1
• v. 2
• v. 3
• v. 4
• v. 5
• v. 6

Layer-by-Layer

Psalm Overview

• Grammar
• Semantics
• Story behind the Psalm
• Discourse
• Poetics

Exegetical Issues

• The Identity of the Person in Ps 1:1
• The Grammar of Ps 1:3d
• The Meaning of מִשׁפָּט in Ps. 1:5