--- Prosper, and be rewarded hereafter, though the just man even among the Jews might be here afflicted. Nor is that fruit lost; it neither withers upon the branches nor decays upon the ground. The way of the righteous. 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk. 33., and John iv. It is, therefore, the blessing of God alone which preserves any in a prosperous condition. “If,” says a German poet, “thou wouldest attain to thy highest, go look upon a flower, and what that does unconsciously do thou consciously.” In Hebrew poetry a moral purpose is given to the grass on the mountain side and the flower in the field, and we are taught that “there is not a virtue within the widest range of human conduct, not a grace set on high for man’s aspiration, which has not its fitting emblem in vegetable life.”—Bible Educator, ii, p. 179. In both cases it is God"s blessing on one"s words and works. .the wicked are not so" This is the OT view that temporal blessings and cursings were based on one's spiritual life (cf. Conformably to his character and profession. The ungodly have their stated days, stated times, certain works, and certain places; to which they stick so closely, that if their neighbours were perishing with hunger, they could not be torn from them. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Those who explain the figure of the faithful bringing forth their fruit in season, as meaning that they wisely discern when a thing ought to be done so as to be done well, in my opinion, show more acuteness than judgment, by putting a meaning upon the words of the prophet which he never intended. The Lord reckons the times which pass over us, and puts them to our account: let us, therefore, improve them, and with the impotent persons at the pool of Bethesda, step in when the angel stirs the water. O give thanks, &c. — This whole verse occurs also Psalm 106:1; only there the address is made to the Israelites, here, it seems, to all mankind. He shall neither lose his beauty nor his fruitfulness. The story of Psalm 3. All who delight in and meditate on God"s law will prosper like a flourishing fruit tree (cf. See note on Proverbs 21:1. prosper. By the rivers of water; so that even if one river should fail, he hath another. The servant of God resembles a tree (1) in his graciousness; (2) in his fruitfulness; (3) in his immobility. And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper] So Joshua 1:7-8. Fruit in his season—Comp. Herein is brought out the literal import of the foregoing figures. A tree planted by the rivers of water. Martin Luther. Who flourisheth but him! The Psalmist here illustrates, and, at the same time, confirms by a metaphor the statement made in the preceding verse; for he shows in what respect those who fear God are to be accounted happy, namely, not because they enjoy an evanescent and empty gladness, but because they are in a desirable condition. There is in the words an implied contrast between the vigor of a tree planted in a situation well watered, and the decayed appearance of one which, although it may flourish beautifully for a time, yet soon withers on account of the barrenness of the soil in which it is placed. ( NASB: Lockman ) English Translation of the Greek ( Septuagint ): And he shall be as a tree planted by the brooks of waters, which shall yield its fruit in its season, and its leaf shall not fall off; and whatsoever he shall do shall be … My friend and I were studying Psalm 27 and came upon your commentary. 1. (Haydock) --- Some trees are always covered with leaves, like the palm-tree, &c. (Menochius). Next two verses are also a contrast. We must have constant regard to the word of God, as the rule of our actions, and the spring of our comforts; and have it in our thoughts night and day. Blessed is the man who hath such a promise as this. Absalom said, "Now I am king of Israel". Psa 69:1-12. III. Thanks for this commentary. Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Psalms 1:3: Matthew 21:18-19 Mark : Psalms 1:2 : Psalms 1:4 >> The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment Sign up for the Berean: Daily Verse and Comment, and have Biblical truth delivered to your inbox. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. PSALM 133. in the time of fruit-bearing; which being applied to the good man, notes either. By definition, we cannot choose one way without rejecting another. Psalm 91:1-3 God the Deliverer “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Commentary on Psalm 1:1-3 (Read Psalm 1:1-3) To meditate in God's word, is to discourse with ourselves concerning the great things contained in it, with close application of mind and fixedness of thought. The Text of this Psalm "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is. Psalm 1 Commentary: Verse 3 Contrasted with Verse 4. In contrast, leaves are what others simply see and admire. Psalms 1:3 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. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Compare Genesis 39:3, Genesis 39:23. As this world is the kingdom of Satan, unconverted men, of every rank, party, and character, are stirred up by him to oppose the cause of God. 1. Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. But the rulers of the earth generally have been most active. Leaf shall not wither—The leaf, an ornament of beauty, the most delicate of its vital organs, and so the earliest to betray any want of vitality in the tree. We learn right off the bat that the blessed life looks like the rejection of certain lifestyles. A description of the godly man’s spirit and way, by which we are to try ourselves. PSALM 23. It is a psalm which has been sung by good Christians, and will be while the world stands, with a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction. What it has been, that it shall be; if it changes, it is as growing into fruitfulness, and maturing in its fruit's abundance and perfection. a. (Comp. 19:17. verses 4 - 6: enemies of God, we call them godless. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. ), The last clause, “Whatsoever he doeth, it shall,” &c, is obscure in construction. xx., p. 347. The rivers of pardon and the rivers of grace, the rivers of the promise and the rivers of communion with Christ, are never failing sources of supply. A psalm of David. It is the first thing that comes. His leaf also shall not wither; his faintest word shall be everlasting; his little deeds of love shall be had in remembrance. 79, 122; G. Orme, Christian World Pulpit, vol. The holy anointing oil for the high priest was olive oil mixed with four of the best spices (Ex 30:22, 25, 30). Probably the palm-tree, the emblem of a long life, Job xxviii. His and he should be rendered in this verse its and it; Whatsoever it doeth; i.e. Here is,I. A godly education, under the influences of the divine Spirit, which can never be withheld where they are earnestly sought, is sure to produce the fruits of righteousness; and he who reads, prays, and meditates, will ever see the work which God has given him to do; the power by which he is to perform it; and the times, places, and opportunities for doing those things by which God can obtain most glory, his own soul most good, and his neighbour most edification. Its fruitfulness.—God’s tree by God’s river must be a fruitful tree. The tree of life is watered by the river of living waters, proceeding from the throne of God, who is the source of all grace, Apocalypse xxii. Well, in the Christian life spring-leaf shall ever remain. We must have constant regard to the word of God, as the rule of our actions, and the spring of our comforts; and have it in our thoughts night and day. The trials of the saint are a divine husbandry, by which he grows and brings forth abundant fruit. Verse six presents a key to understanding Psalm 1: “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”. His leaf also shall not wither] Heb. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. A tree planted by the rivers of water. a 2 Rather, the law of the LORD * is his joy;. A Psalm of David, f the servant of the L ord, g who addressed the words of this h song to the L ord on the day when the L ord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. As the NIV’s translation suggests, Psalm 139 can be divided into four strophes: verses 1–6; 7–12; 13–18; and 19–24.Tucker and Davis offer an overview of these four movements: Before exploring the meaning of this passage in detail, here is the whole psalm for your consideration from the NIV: Gain, his prosperity, that of the soul I mean, he shall be sure of, Romans 8:28; Romans 8:37. Commentary and hymns for a six-part preaching series on the Psalms. C.H.S. Tree planted by ... waters - alluded to in Jeremiah 17:8, the prophet thereby sealing the inspiration of the Psalmist. But we must not always estimate the fulfilment of a promise by our own eye sight. His leaf also shall not wither — His blessedness is not short and transitory, as all worldly felicity is, but fixed and everlasting, like those trees which are continually green and flourishing. The first of two comparisons. Psalm 1:3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever * he does, he prospers. The blessedness of the righteous shown, in his avoiding every appearance of evil, Psalm 1:1. This refers to Christ. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. This is a wisdom psalm, calling people to follow the path of righteousness to obtain the blessings that God confers on the righteous. Psalm 15. There are praise Psalms, lament Psalms, and enthronement Psalms and all contain wisdom, of course, but as an introduction and door to the rest of the Psalms, this Psalm declares in just a few words some of the most basic but profound truths and propositions of the Bible. Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. A psalm. The means of grace are those rivers of water near which the trees of righteousness are planted, and from these they receive supplies of strength and vigour, but in secret, undiscerned ways. The holiness and happiness of a godly man. The Lord's trees are all evergreens. Like a tree. In his season, i.e. I. and on his law he meditates day and night. made branches in thee, will thrive in thee, and bring forth fruit in thee, for thou hast said, because 'I live ye shall live also.' That bringeth forth fruit in his season — That is, in the time of fruit-bearing; which, being applied to the good man, denotes either, 1st, His active goodness, that he seeks and improves all opportunities for doing good, exercising faith, hope, and love, piety and virtue, justice, mercy, charity, temperance, patience, meekness, long-suffering, according to the several occasions offered him: or, 2d, The issue thereof, the happiness resulting therefrom; that he shall have the fruit, or benefit, of his godly life in due time, and when it will be most for his advantage, possibly in some measure in this life, but assuredly in the life to come. It is not outward prosperity which the Christian most desires and values; it is soul prosperity which he longs for. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me] And such a shield as will never fail me. April 20, 2019 June 5, 2019 by Drew Campbell, posted in Commentary. 18. Macmillan, Two Worlds are Ours, p. 203; A. Blomfield, Sermons in Town and Country, p. 313. -- In such a case expectation is never disappointed. 280. BOOK I Psalms 1–41 - Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. The beauties of early life, of young life, the beauties of childhood, shall never be destroyed. Selah. And he shall be like a tree planted -- not a wild tree, but "a tree planted," chosen, considered as property, cultivated and secured from the last terrible uprooting, for "every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up:" Matthew 15:13 . And again, "Which was a prophet mighty in deed and word." And, as in the foregoing psalm he represented Christ dying for his sheep, so here he represents Christians receiving the benefit of all the care and tenderness of that great and good shepherd. I. BOOK I Psalms 1–41 - Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. "The Chaff Driven Away.". And thus as the tree of life bringeth fruit every month, so a wise Christian, as a wise husbandman, hath his distinct employments for every month, bringing forth his fruit in his season. That the righteous shall prosper is an eternal truth under the moral government of God, (. 14. 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