Psalm 1/Overview/Introduction
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Author
- Anonymous
Book
- Book 1 of the Psalter (Chapters 1–41)
Psalm 1: A Brief Summary
- Psalm 1 is an intricate poem in several ways. It weaves together different biblical passages as a meditation. It contrasts agricultural images of flourishing, with the tree, and the useless and discarded, with the chaff. It contrasts two ways or paths that begin with counsel or instruction and end at very different destinations. It uses the imagery of the life cycle of grain, from growing through harvesting, threshing and winnowing, to describe the relationship between the righteous and the wicked.
- All these are combined to make the poetic argument, over and over: there are two ways to live. One starts with the counsel or instruction of the wicked and leads—in the end—to being discarded and useless. The other starts with the instruction of YHWH and leads to flourishing. For those who desire to flourish, there is only one conclusion: devoting oneself to the instruction of YHWH is worth everything!
“Happy Is the One” This title is a memorable phrase that helps remember the unique character and content of this psalm.
- “Happy is the one” serves well as a memorable phrase for this psalm, celebrating the person who chooses the path that leads to true flourishing — the flourishing illustrated by a lush tree, never lacking for water.
Purpose The Purpose was the psalmist's probable intent or reason for writing this psalm.
- To persuade the hearer that following YHWH's instruction is worthwhile.
Content The Content is a concise summary of the whole psalm's 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 The Message is the main idea the psalmist probably wanted the audience to remember upon or after hearing the psalm.
- In the end, it's those who follow YHWH's instruction who will flourish.