Psalm 1 is the beginning of a collection of 150 individual Hebrew poems known as The Book of Psalms. Although each Psalm can stand by itself, the Book of Psalms is not intended to be an all-time top 150 Hebrew poetry list. Each poem has been intentionally placed or compiled in its specific order by scribes sometime after the Jewish exiles in Babylon returned to Jerusalem.
If one reads and studies the Psalms in their entirety, it becomes clear that the Book of Psalms tells the story of God’s chosen people. The Psalms story covers their journeys from creation, through the patriarchs, all the way to their return to Jerusalem, as told by Nehemiah. Also incorporated in the Psalms story are certain poems written by various prophets, such as Ezekiel and others. The ultimate goal of The Book of Psalms is to take the reader on a journey that leads to the Messiah.
So, Psalm 1 is an introductory poem that tells the reader how to find “the way” to God's blessings, as found in the individual stories the poem details. Let's break down the first three verses of Psalm 1, verse by verse. Hopefully, we can see how that works.
Psalm 1:1 KJV - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
The first line begins with a promise of being Blessed. All teachings in the Bible are rooted in the Genesis creation story. In Genesis 2, after God completes his creation, he blessed the seventh day. After this, God places His crowning achievement, humanity, in His garden paradise to care for it. Man, with God’s permission, could freely eat of the garden's fruit. Every tree in the garden, except one, produced a bountiful blessing for Adam’s needs. God warned man not to eat of the “tree of knowledge of good and evil,” because it contains a curse of death. Then “the old accuser,” “The Satan,” the father of lies, in the form of a serpent, deceived both Eve and Adam. Humankind was cast out of the Blessed Paradise because they trusted in the counsel of the ungodly.
You should see the connection between the Genesis account of God’s garden “blessing” for trusting in God and the garden curse for not trusting God.
Both the Genesis creation account and Psalm 1:1 employ Hebrew parallelism, a literary device that Hebrew scribes and prophets frequently used in poetry. Parallelism can seem complex, as it has several subtypes, and the Hebrew writers were very adept at using it and other literary devices. An easy way to simplify literary parallelism is to think of it in terms of compare or contrast, similarities or differences.
Also contained in Psalm 1:1 is a backwards progression. First, we have “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.” Next, we have “nor standeth in the way of sinners.” Finally, we have, “nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Take note, when a man first turns against God, he is walking; at his next disobedience, the man is standing; when the man finally plunges into the depths of sin, he is sitting. Walk - Stand - Sit.
Psalm 1:2 KJV - But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
This second verse is my favorite for two reasons: First, because it tells how to get off the path of a sinner sitting around doing nothing for God to become a full-grown Christian walking for Jesus delivering the Messiah's message. Second, I love this verse because it provides guidance on how to interpret the entire Book of Psalms. If we meditate on God’s word day and night, we will receive God’s Blessing. Here is a New Testament verse that explains how that works:
Romans 12:1-2 KJV - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Psalm 1:3 KJV - And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
This third verse unveils the blessing. If a man trusts God's plan, that man will become “like a tree planted by rivers of water, that bringeth forth fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Sounds like the “Tree of Life” found in Genesis 2:9.
Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” The true blessing contained in the first word of Psalm 1:1, “Blessed,” is not so much that the faithful follower of Jesus is blessed, but rather that others see and recognize that that man is blessed by God and, in turn, are drawn to Christ.
Acts 11:25-26 KJV - Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: [26] And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
One final note: I wonder why John in The Revelation of Jesus Christ recorded this:
Revelation 22:1-2 KJV - And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. [2] In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:14 KJV - Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.