1000 Songs/How blessed is the man who walks not Ps 001

How blessed is the man who walks not Ps 001

1000 Songs

The Psalms were intended to be sung corporally and I can see no reason why this should be an exception. It would be quite suitable to sing today because of its content. It transcends culture with its astute wisdom through instructions towards righteous living.

This passage consists of three basic elements: the righteous, the wicked, and attributes of Yaweh. The beginning of this segment is sometimes classified as David’s beatitudes, due to its obvious similarity to Jesus’ beatitudes during the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. It is also known as a wisdom psalm because it has poetic form and style but is distinguished because of content and a tendency toward the proverbial. In this case, it compares the lifestyles of a godly person and an evil person. A wisdom psalm also usually includes general observations on life and our relationship to God.

Text

Author

Most likely, David, considering that he wrote the majority of Psalms, wrote Psalm 1. However, some scholars believe that David is not the author of this particular chapter. Stylistically, it is similar to Proverbs, which leads some scholars to believe that it was written by Solomon as an introduction to his father’s writing.

Translations/Challenges

Done Into Verse, 1653:

BLESS'D is the man who hath not walk'd astray

In counsel of the wicked, and ith'way

Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat

Of scorners hath not sate.

But in the great Jehovahs Law is ever his delight,

And in his law he studies day and night.

He shall be as a tree which planted grows

By watry streams, and in his season knows

To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall.

And what he takes in hand shall prosper all.

Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd

The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand

In judgment, or abide their tryal then

Nor sinners in th'assembly of just men.

For the Lord knows th'upright way of the just

And the way of bad men to ruine must .

Kim Hill put her own version into a song, Psalm 1 with the following lyrics.

Chorus Blessed is he who will follow the Lord, He will not stand in the path of the sinner, He will not sit in the seat of the scoffer, For the law of the Lord is his delight

In His law he meditates day and night, He will be like a tree planted by water, He will yield his fruit in its season, His leaves won't die, In whatever he does, he will prosper

Repeat Chorus

For the lost, they are like chaff that the wind drives away, They are not safe; at any time their life could perish

Repeat Chorus

The Lord holds the plans, and the paths of all who follow Him, The righteous will stand secure and last forever

Repeat Chorus

Editor's Choice

Psalm 1 - Paraphrased by Robert Burns The man, in life wherever plac'd, Hath happiness in store, Who walks not in the wicked's way, Nor learns their guilty lore!

Nor from the seat of scornful pride Casts forth his eyes abroad, But with humility and awe Still walks before his God.

That man shall flourish like the trees, Which by the streamlets grow; The fruitful top is spread on high, And firm the root below.

But he whose blossom buds in guilt Shall to the ground be cast, And, like the rootless stubble, tost Before the sweeping blast.

For why? that God the good adore, Hath giv'n them peace and rest, But hath decreed that wicked men Shall ne'er be truly blest.

Background

Cultural setting

One cultural reference in the text is the mention of chaff. In a modern urban setting, this has less meaning to us, but in the setting in which this chapter was written, everyone would know that chaff is the hollow part of the wheat grain that is discarded and released to blow anywhere.

1000 Songs

Why do the nations rage Ps 002 →