Psalms 1:5

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 1:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Psalms 1:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, etc.] Neither in temporal judgment, when God comes forth in a way of wrath and sore displeasure; for who can stand before him when he is angry? what are chaff and stubble, thorns and briers, to consuming fire? nor in the last and great day of judgment, so the Targum and Kimchi interpret the words; for that day will burn like an oven the wicked, who will be as stubble, and leave neither root nor branch, (<390401>Malachi 4:1): when the great day of the Lamb’s wrath is come, who will be able to stand? ( <450616>Romans 6:16,17); there will be no standing for the wicked when he appears; they will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“stand in the judgment--be acquitted. They shall be driven from among the good (Mat 25:45-46).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Therefore - Because they are thus worthless. The ungodly - See the notes at Psalms 1:1. The wicked in general; the wicked of any kind or degree. Shall not stand - Compare the notes at Psalms 1:1. The idea is, that they will not be found among those who are acquitted by the Judge, and approved by him. The idea seems to be derived from the act of standing up to be tried, or to receive a sentence. In the judgment - The Aramaic Paraphrase renders this, “in the great day” - understanding it of the day of judgment. The Septuagint and Vulgate render it, “the wicked shall not rise - ἀναστήσονται anastēsontai - resurgent - in judgment.” Most of the Jewish interpreters, following the Aramaic…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Not stand - Not endure the trial. Judgment - In the great and general judgment of the world. Psalms 1:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:5 The wicked cannot abide the scrutiny of the Lord’s judgment; they are already condemned (see 5:5; 7:6; 101:7).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“shall: Psa 5:5, Psa 24:3; Luk 21:36; Jde 1:15 sinners: Psa 26:9; Mal 3:18; Mat 13:49, Mat 25:32, Mat 25:41, Mat 25:46 Psalms 1:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification