The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.

1[a]Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example],

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of [b]scoffers (ridiculers).

2But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.

3And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season;

Its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].

4The wicked [those who live in disobedience to God’s law] are not so,

But they are like the chaff [worthless and without substance] which the wind blows away.

5Therefore the wicked will not stand [unpunished] in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6For the LORD knows and fully approves the way of the righteous,

But the way of the wicked shall perish.

[a] 1 This has been called “The Preface Psalm” because in some respects it introduces the complete book of Psalms as a godly message. It opens with a benediction, “Blessed,” as does the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:3).
[b] 1 I.e. shallow thinkers who are quick to mock or disdain.