Psalms 1

THis Psalm was put first as a Preface to all the rest, as a powerful perswasive to the diligent reading, and serious study of the whole book, and of the rest of the holy Scripture, taken from that blessedness which attends upon the study and practice thereof.

BLessed is the man The Hebrew words are very Emphatical: Blessedness belongs to that man; or, O the blessedness of that man! Thrice blessed is that man; who is here described negatively, and in the next verse positively. that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly i. e. That does not lead his Life according to their counsel, or course, or manner of living: That does not associate himself with them, nor follow their evil instigations or examples. Walking, notes choice of it, and continuance or progress in it, otherwise good men do sometimes step aside into an evil Action. For the explaining of the Phrase see Gen. 49. 6. 2. Chron. 22. 3, 4, 5. Prov. 1. 15. & 4. 14. Mic. 6. 16., nor standeth Which notes a more setled abode, hardness and obstinacy in it. in the way i. e. In their course or manner of Conversation, in the practise of those things which they choose and use to do; which is called a mans way, Psal. 5. 8. & 25. 4. 2. Pet. 2. 2, 15. of sinners Emphatically so called here, as also Psal. 26. 9. Eccles. 9. 2. Mat. 26. 45. Luke 7. 37. Iohn 9. 16, 31. who give up themselves to the power and practise of sin, making it their great business and their delight., nor sitteth in the seat Which notes their association, or incorporation of themselves with them; a constant and resolved perseverance in their wicked courses, with great content and security; and a great proficiency and eminency in the school of Wickedness, and an ability and readiness to instruct others therein. of the scornful Of those who are not only diseased, but reject, despise, and scorn all Remedies, who make a mock of sin, and of Gods threat'nings and judgments against Sinners, who deride all wholesom reproofs and counsels, and make it their trade to scoff at goodness and good men. Divers have observed a gradation in this verse; the following clause still exceeding the former, for standing is more than walking, and sitting more than standing. And the way or course may seem to be worse than the counsel or design, and the seat is worse than the way: And Sinners in Scripture use, are worse than the ungodly, and the scornful are the worst of Sinners: But I would not lay great stress upon such Observations..

But his delight is in the law (i. e.) In the study and practise of it, as appears from the Context. The law of God may be here understood, of the whole Doctrine delivered by God to the Church consisting of Doctrines, Precepts, Promises, and Threat'nings; &c as it is taken Psal. 37. 31. & 78. 1. Isa. 51. 7. Iohn 10. 34. or more particularly of the preceptive part of it, which is commonly so called; and so this is noted as the peculiar character of a good man, that he delighteth himself not only in the Promises, which a bad man may do, Mat. 13. 20. but even in the commands of God, Psal. 112. 1. & 119. 47, 127, 143. 1. Iohn 5. 3. which are unwelcome and burthensom to a wicked man. of the LORD, and in his law does he meditate The word implies a deep, and serious, and affectionate thoughtfulness about it: see Psal. 19. 14. & 49. 3. Prov. 24. 2. Isa. 33. 18. day and night Not seldome and slightly, as Hypocrites do, but diligently, frequently, constantly, and upon all occasions..

And Or, for, as this particle is oft used, as Psal. 60. 12. & 108. 13. Prov. 4. 17. This being the proof of that blessedness of a good man, which he had only asserted (v. i.) he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers (i. e.) A river; the plural number being put for the singular, as it is Iudg. 12. 7. Ionah 1. 5. and oft elsewhere. of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season (i. e.) In the time of fruit-bearing: Which being applyed to the good man, notes either, 1: His active goodness, that he seeketh and improveth all opportunities for the doing of good, exercising godlyness, justice, temperance, charity, patience, &c. according to the several occasions offered to him; or rather, 2: His certain prosperity and happiness, as may be gathered from the end of this verse, and the opposite state of the ungodly, v. 4. 5. That he shall have the fruit or benefit of his godly life in due time, or when it is expedient for him; possibly in this life, but assuredly in the next life.; his leaf also shall not wither His happiness is not short and transitory, as all worldly felicity is, but fixed and everlasting, like those trees which are continually green and flourishing: Or. and (like a tree) whose leaf never withers., and whatsoever he does shall prosper All his actions shall be crowned with success and a blessed end or effect; see Rom. 8. 28..

The ungodly are not so Their condition is far differing from the former.: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away In regard either, 1. of their sinful disposition. They are vain and frothy, unprofitable and hurtful, without any root of true and solid goodness, without any certain end, or constant course, tossed to and fro with every wind of their own lusts or temptations. Or rather, 2. of their wretched condition. They are restless and unquiet in their own minds and consciences; their seeming felicity, in which they please and pride themselves, has no firm foundation, but quickly vanisheth and fleeth away as chaf does before the wind, and their end is to be burned. see Iob 21. 18. Psal. 35. 5. Mat. 3. 12..

Therefore To wit, because they are ungodly: Or Because, as this particle is sometimes used, as Gen. 38. 26.. 10. 31. & 14. 43. Psal. 42. 6. for this verse is added to enforce or prove what he said in the former. the ungodly shall not stand (i. e.) Not subsist or endure the trial; or not be justified or carry his cause; as this word is o... t used, being opposed to falling, as Psal. 18. 38. & 20. 8. Mal. 3. 2. Luke 21. 36. Rom. 14. 4. Eph. 6. 13. in the judgment Either 1. in the time of temporal calamities, when God shall arise to judg and punish them: for then the hearts of the wicked fall, and their consciences are filled with horrour. Or 2. in that great and general judgment of the whole World, called here that judgment emphatically, in that solemn and general Congregation of all mankind, as the next words express it., nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous (i. e.) In that society which shall consist of none but righteous Persons, or amongst the righteous ones on Christs right hand, Mat. 25. 32..

For He now gives a reason of this great difference between the righteous and the ungodly, expressed in the foregoing verses. the LORD knoweth Either 1. properly and speculatively he searcheth and knoweth all their hearts and ways, or actions; and therefore will Preserve, prosper, and bless them; which may be gathered out of the following and opposite clause of this verse, and out of v. 1, 2. Or 2. practically and affectionately as words of knowledg in Scripture do very frequently imply affection, as Exod. 1. 8. Psal. 31. 7. & 101. 4. Hos. 8. 4. Amos 3. 2. He approveth, loveth, and delighteth in them, and in the course of their lives, and therefore will recompence them: Or, he careth for and directeth their actions to a blessed Issue. the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish All their wicked designs and courses shall come to nothing, and they shall perish with them..