📖 Biblical Definition
Psalm 1 is the opening psalm and the doorway into the whole Psalter — contrasting the blessed man with the ungodly in six tight verses. The blessed man does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, does not stand in the way of sinners, does not sit in the seat of the scornful (v. 1) — but "his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night" (v. 2). He is like a tree planted by the rivers of water (v. 3). The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away (v. 4). Two ways, two ends, one verdict. Psalm 1 is the lens through which to read every psalm.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The opening psalm of the two ways.
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The first psalm of the Psalter, framing the entire book as a choice between two ways: the blessed man who delights in God's law and is like a tree planted by waters, and the ungodly who are chaff that the wind drives away.
📖 Key Scripture
Psalm 1:1 — "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."
Psalm 1:2 — "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."
Psalm 1:6 — "For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Read as gentle pastoral; missing how it sets up the entire Psalter as moral confrontation.
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Psalm 1 is a doorway. Walk through and the rest of the Psalter holds the two ways together. Notice the descent in v1: walk → stand → sit. From wicked counsel, to sinful association, to the scornful seat. Folly nests, then settles.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew tehillah — praise.
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['Hebrew', 'H1288', 'barak', 'to bless']
['Hebrew', 'H3887', 'lits', 'scorner']
Usage
"Read Psalm 1 as the doorway to the Psalter."
"Watch the descent: walk, stand, sit."