Psalm 1/Notes/Phrasal.V. 5.549272
The phrase translated group of righteous people (עֲדַת צַדִּיקִים) in v. 5 is often translated "congregation" or "assembly" of the righteous (cf. KJV, ESV, NIV, NET). But this gloss might be too formal; the word עדה simply refers to "a relatively large group of people with a common history or purpose" (SDBH). In this case, the group of people are those whom YHWH the judge (cf. v. 5a) has declared to be in the right (i.e., צדיקים).[1] Sinful people, who are declared to be in the wrong (i.e., רשעים) will, by definition, not join this group. This phrase sounds very similar to the phrase "in the counsel of wicked people" (בַּעֲצַת רְשָׁעִים) in v. 1. In addition to the similarity in sound, both phrases are preceded by a motion verb (v. 1a: "go/walk"; v. 5b: "stand") and the negative particle "not" (לׂא). "The similar wording is intended to drive home the fact that the one who enjoys the 'counsel of the wicked' will ultimately be cut off from any association with the 'assembly of the righteous.'"[2] The connection also functions as a kind of inclusio, binding together the body of the psalm (vv. 1-5) before the final summary in v. 6.
- ↑ Baetgen identifies this group as "the Messianic congregation that is left after the godless have been separated out" (1904, 3), and Briggs as "the congregation after the judgment of the resurrection" (7).
- ↑ Wilson 2002, 98. The Septuagint, perhaps in light of this connection, translates both phrases using the same word (v. 1a: βουλη δικαιων; v. 5b: βουλη ασεβων).