Psalm 1 Happy Are Those

Psalm 1

Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;

but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.

They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Introduction to the Core Concept and Principle of Psalm 1

Psalm 1 lays out the fundamental concept that true happiness, fulfillment, and ultimately, Paradise come to those who remain true to the Lord's teachings and who do not allow themselves to follow the examples of those who choose not to follow the Lord's Path to Eternal Paradise. The main idea of the Psalm is that those who follow the Lord's Path will prosper on earth as well as in Eternity while those who choose not to follow the Lord's teachings are doomed to failure in both realms. The principle value of Psalm 1 would appear to be an encouragement never to forsake long-term virtue or Eternal happiness for short-term sinful pleasures on earth and never to allow exposure of apparent short-term benefits enjoyed by sinners to tempt the Believer from his or her true Faith.

Key Ideas, Images, Parallelisms, and Comparisons

The first passage lays out the fundamental proposition that the Believer must never allow the statements or beliefs of non-Believers to erode one's faith in the Lord's teachings. The reference to the "path that sinners tread" and the "seat of scoffers" would suggest that Believers should always be mindful that the descent to non-Believe may be a slippery slope that is not readily apparent. Therefore, one should be mindful not to adopt even the superficial or apparently innocuous habits of non-Believers because they are dangerous in that respect. The second passage refers to the fact that relishing the inherent beauty and perfection of the Lord's laws provide a consolation and a safe refuge from sinful temptations.

The third and fourth passages go together and suggest that Believers must remember that any apparent benefits, advantages, or joys that come with sinful behavior or non-belief are illusory and transitory at best. They have no real value and do not last because they are like the chaff that cannot withstand the slightest breeze. Conversely, the benefits and value of true Belief in the Lord's laws and teachings are long-lasting, substantial, and fully capable of withstanding the strongest challenges, let alone mere winds that are sufficient to reveal the sinfulness of non-belief.

The fifth passage provides reassurance to Believers that they will ultimately be judged by an entirely different standard than their non-believing counterparts and that their choice to adhere to the Lord's teachings will entitle them to favorable judgment by that standard. It is another important reminder of the reason that one should never be tempted to follow the lead of non-believers that could take the Believer off the Path to Eternal Salvation. Similarly, the sixth passage reminds Believers that the Lord will always watch over them and protect them on earth and that the Lord will ultimately reward them in Eternity.