Psalm 1/Notes/Lexical.v. 1.258626

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Most interpreters see a progression in bodily posture in this verse from walking (v. 1a) to standing (v. 1b) to sitting (v. 1c) ("walk...stand...sit" in KJV, NIV, ESV, NASB, CSB, etc.) but the sequence may instead reflect the progressive stages of a journey in a nomadic society: setting out with directions (v. 1a), coming to a stop in the road (v. 1b), and settling down in a dwelling place (v. 1c). The "pathway" imagery (v. 1b) makes the journey interpretation more likely. This is also the more natural interpretation of the clause in v. 1c ("settle... dwelling place;" see below; cf. Wilson 2002, 94).

To "walk (הָלַךְ) in the counsel of wicked people (בַּעֲצַת רְשָׁעִים)" is to live one's life according to the counsel, or advice, which wicked people offer (cf 2 Chron 22:5, "where the meaning is 'to follow advice'" [Seow 2013]; cf. NLT: "...follow the advice of the wicked").

The word "wicked people" (רְשָׁעִים) occurs four times in Psalm 1 (vv. 1, 4, 5, 6) - more than any other word.[1] It refers to the "state in which a person's behavior is inconsistent with the requirements of the law, either in a specific matter that is under dispute or as one's general mode of behavior."[2]

The verb stand (עָמַד) appears to be telic ("stand" = "take a stand") rather than a telic ("stand" = "stand around"). Similarly, Wilson 2002, 94, "the verb עָמָד has more the sense of 'take a stand' than simply 'stand still.' There is volition (and therefore responsibility) assumed in this action." Cf. BDB 764.3f: "persist"; HALOT 840.1: "to become involved with, or to persist in" (בדבר רע) Qoh 8:3"; DCH עָמַד (entry 8).</ref> Compare Ps 36:5bc where standing "on a path that is not good" (36:5b) is paired with the refusal to reject wickedness (36:5c).[3] Cf. Seow: "seems at first blush to be out of place in the second line. One expects 'walked in the way,' an exceedingly common biblical idiom for moral conduct.[4] Yet one may take the Hebrew to mean not just 'stand'... but also 'persist,' as Jerome and Radaq recognized."[5] "'Pathway' here refers to the lifestyle of sinners. To 'stand in the pathway of/with sinners' means to closely associate with them in their sinful behavior."[6] It is "to share their way of life (cf. Prov 1:10-19; Jer 23:8)."[7]

The word "sinful people" (חַטָּאִים, see also v. 5b) is partially synonymous with the previous term "wicked people" (רְשָׁעִים). Whereas the word "wicked" (רְשָׁעִים) places the emphasis on the resultant state of guilt that characterizes those who live contrary to God's requirements, the word "sinful" (חַטָּאִים) places the emphasis on "the pattern of actions" that leads to such guilt.[8] "The difference of nuance between רשעים and חטאים is perhaps similar to that of the person convicted of a single theft compared with a career criminal. In the psalms, however, these two terms are often synonymous."[9]

  1. ↑ Translated as "wicked" (NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB); "evil" (GNT); "ungodly" (KJV)
  2. ↑ SDBH Cf. NIDOTTE: "Although the adj. can mean guilty, criminal, or godless, most often it serves as a reference to those who are characterized by wickedness... In the Psalter רָשָׁע designates the wicked person who stands diametrically opposed to the צַדִּיק, i.e., God’s saints (37:28), those who love God (145:20), and those who wait on the Lord (32:10). In a word, he is the archenemy of the godly individual (68:2[3]).NIDOTTE
  3. ↑ Though the word for "stand" in this passage is not עמד but התיצב.
  4. ↑ Cf. NEB: "walk the road that sinners tread." Similarly, the ancient Syriac translation has "walk in the way."
  5. ↑ Seow 2013. Cf. Pss 33:11; 102:27; Eccl 1:4; 8:3; Lev 13:5; Jer 32:14; 48:11.
  6. ↑ NET
  7. ↑ Anderson 1972, 59.
  8. ↑ SDBH. "The nominal pattern of חַ֭טָּאִים (sinners) signifies an occupation or a repeated action" (Waltke 2010, 134; cf. IBHS, p. 89, P. 5.4a).
  9. ↑ Wilson 2002, 95.