Psalms Chapter 1

“Blessed [is] the man, etc.] This psalm begins in like manner as Christ’s sermon on the mount, (<400503>Matthew 5:3); setting forth the praises and expressing the happiness of the man who is described in this verse and (<190102>Psalm 1:2). The words may be rendered, “O, the blessednesses of the man”, or “of this man” f11; he is doubly blessed, a thrice happy and blessed man; blessed in things temporal and spiritual; happy in this world, and in that to come. He is to be praised and commended as a good man, so the Targum: “the goodness, or, Oh, the goodness of the man;” or as others, “Oh, the right goings or happy…”

“The character and condition, and the present and future destiny, of the pious and the wicked are described and contrasted, teaching that true piety is the source of ultimate happiness, and sin of misery. As this is a summary of the teachings of the whole book, this Psalm, whether designedly so placed or not, forms a suitable preface. (Psa 1:1-6) Blessed--literally, "oh, the happiness"--an exclamation of strong emotion, as if resulting from reflecting on the subject. The use of the plural may denote fulness and variety (Ch2 9:7). counsel . . . way . . . seat--With their corresponding verbs, mark gradations of…”

“Blessed is the man - That is, his condition is a happy or a desirable one. The word used here, אשׁר 'esher means properly, “happiness” or “blessedness.” It is found, however, only in the plural form and in the construct state, and takes the nature and force of an interjection - “ O the happiness of the man!” or “O happy man!” Deuteronomy 33:29 : “happy art thou, O Israel!” 1 Kings 10:8 : “happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants!” Job 5:17 : “happy is the man whom God correcteth!” Psalms 2:12 : “blessed are all they that put their trust in him!” See also Psalms 32:1-2; Psalms 33:12; Psalms 34:8; Psalms…”

“Blessed - The Hebrew words are very emphatical: O the blessedness of that man! Counsel - That doth not lead his life according to their counsel, or manner of living. Standeth - Which notes a more settled abode in it. Way - In their manner of conversation. Seat - Which notes a constant and resolved perseverance in their wicked courses. Scornful - Of those who make a mock of sin, and scoff at goodness and goodmen. Divers observe a gradation in this verse; the following clause still exceeding the former, for standing is more than walking, and sitting more than standing; and sinners in scripture use, are worse than…”

“Pss 1–8 Psalms 1 and 8 form an inclusio (set of literary bookends) that describes what God expects of the ideal person (cp. Pss 19; 33; 104; 145), contrasts the godly person with the wicked, and extols the godly person’s dignity. Jesus the Messiah (Ps 2)—the sovereign Lord (Heb 2:6-8; see 1 Cor 15:27) and perfection of humanity—embodies this ideal. Pss 1–2 The first two psalms are an introduction to the entire Psalter. Psalm 1 introduces the Lord’s instruction in wisdom, while Ps 2 introduces God’s rule over a rebellious, sinful world. Together, these psalms invite people to leave the way of folly that leads to…”

“am 3560, bc 444 Blessed: Psa 2:12, Psa 32:1, Psa 32:2, Psa 34:8, Psa 84:12, Psa 106:3, Psa 112:1, Psa 115:12-15, Psa 119:1, Psa 119:2, Psa 144:15; Psa 146:5; Deut. 28:2-68, Deu 33:29; Jer 17:7; Mat 16:17; Luk 11:28; Joh 13:17; Joh 20:29; Rev 22:14 walketh: Psa 81:12; Gen 5:24; Lev 26:27, Lev 26:28; Kg1 16:31; Job 31:5; Pro 1:15, Pro 4:14, Pro 4:15; Pro 13:20; Eze 20:18; Pe1 4:3 counsel: Psa 64:2; Gen 49:6; Ch2 22:3; Job 10:3, Job 21:16; Luk 23:51 ungodly: or, wicked standeth: Psa 26:12; Rom 5:2; Eph 6:13 way: Psa 1:6, Psa 36:4, Psa 146:9; Pro 2:12, Pro 4:19, Pro 13:15; Mat 7:13, Mat 7:14 sitteth: Psa 26:4, Psa…”

“The exclamatory אשׁרי, as also Psa 32:2; Psa 40:5; Pro 8:34, has Gaja (Metheg) by the Aleph, and in some Codd. even a second by שׁ, because it is intended to be read asherê as an exception, on account of the significance of the word (Baer, in Comm. ii. 495). It is the construct of the pluralet. אשׁרים (from אשׁר, cogn.ישׁר, כּשׁר, to be straight, right, well-ordered), and always in the form אשׁרי, even before the light suffixes (Olsh. 135, c), as an exclamation: O the blessedness of so and so. The man who is characterised as blessed is first described according to the things he does not do, then (which is the…”