Psalm 1:2
New International Version
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

New Living Translation
But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.

English Standard Version
but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Berean Standard Bible
But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

King James Bible
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

New King James Version
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

New American Standard Bible
But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, And on His Law he meditates day and night.

NASB 1995
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

NASB 1977
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

Legacy Standard Bible
But his delight is in the law of Yahweh, And in His law he meditates day and night.

Amplified Bible
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.

Christian Standard Bible
Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.

American Standard Version
But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law doth he meditate day and night.

Contemporary English Version
Instead, they find happiness in the Teaching of the LORD, and they think about it day and night.

English Revised Version
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Rather, he delights in the teachings of the LORD and reflects on his teachings day and night.

Good News Translation
Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the LORD, and they study it day and night.

International Standard Version
But he delights in the LORD's instruction, and meditates in his instruction day and night.

Majority Standard Bible
But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

NET Bible
Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the LORD's commands; he meditates on his commands day and night.

New Heart English Bible
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Webster's Bible Translation
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

World English Bible
but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
But his delight [is] in the Law of YHWH, "" And in His law he meditates by day and by night:

Young's Literal Translation
But -- in the law of Jehovah is his delight, And in His law he doth meditate by day and by night:

Smith's Literal Translation
But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, and in his law he will meditate day and night.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But his will is with the law of the Lord, and he will meditate on his law, day and night.

New American Bible
Rather, the law of the LORD is his joy; and on his law he meditates day and night.

New Revised Standard Version
but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law does he meditate day and night.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But his pleasure is in the Law of LORD JEHOVAH, and in his Law he will meditate day and night.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; And in His law doth he meditate day and night.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But his pleasure is in the law of the Lord; and in his law will he meditate day and night.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD Blesses Job
1Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. 2But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. 3He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.…

Cross References
Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

James 1:25
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

Psalm 119:97
Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation.

Psalm 119:15
I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways.

Psalm 119:11
I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:1-2
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD. / Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.

Psalm 119:48
I lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love, and I meditate on Your statutes.

Psalm 119:72
The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

Psalm 119:92
If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:140
Your promise is completely pure; therefore Your servant loves it.

Psalm 119:148
My eyes anticipate the watches of night, that I may meditate on Your word.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9
These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. / Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ...

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Romans 7:22
For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.


Treasury of Scripture

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night.

Psalm

Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

But his

Psalm 40:8
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Psalm 112:1
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Psalm 119:11,35,47,48,72,92
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee…

meditate

Psalm 104:34
My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

Psalm 119:11,15,97-99
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee…

Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

day

Psalm 88:1
A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

Luke 2:37
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Luke 18:7
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

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Psalm 1
1. The happiness of the godly
4. The unhappiness of the ungodly














But his delight
The Hebrew word for "delight" is "חֵפֶץ" (chephets), which conveys a sense of pleasure, desire, or longing. In the context of Psalm 1:2, it suggests a deep, abiding joy and satisfaction found in the object of delight. This word indicates that the righteous person finds genuine pleasure in the law of the Lord, contrasting with the fleeting pleasures of the wicked. Historically, this delight is not merely an emotional response but a committed choice to find joy in God's instructions, reflecting a heart aligned with divine will.

is in the law of the LORD
The term "law" here is "תּוֹרָה" (torah), which can be understood as instruction or teaching. It encompasses more than just legalistic commands; it includes the entire body of divine guidance given to Israel. The "LORD" is the covenant name of God, "יהוה" (Yahweh), emphasizing a personal relationship with the divine. In ancient Israel, the Torah was central to life and worship, serving as a guide for righteous living. The psalmist highlights that the righteous person not only obeys but cherishes God's teachings, seeing them as a source of wisdom and life.

and on His law
Reiterating the focus on God's law, this phrase underscores the importance of continuous engagement with divine instruction. The repetition emphasizes the centrality of God's word in the life of the believer. In the historical context, the law was read and meditated upon regularly, forming the foundation of spiritual and communal life. This ongoing interaction with the law signifies a commitment to understanding and applying God's will in every aspect of life.

he meditates
The Hebrew word "הָגָה" (hagah) means to murmur, ponder, or reflect deeply. Meditation in this sense is an active, intentional process of engaging with the text, allowing it to permeate one's thoughts and actions. Unlike Eastern meditation, which often seeks to empty the mind, biblical meditation involves filling the mind with God's truth. Historically, this practice was integral to Jewish spirituality, involving recitation and reflection on scripture to internalize its teachings.

day and night
This phrase signifies constancy and dedication, indicating that meditation on God's law is not a sporadic activity but a continual practice. "Day and night" suggests an all-encompassing devotion, where the believer's life is saturated with God's word. In the ancient Near Eastern context, this would mean integrating the law into daily routines and decisions, ensuring that one's life is consistently aligned with divine principles. This perpetual meditation reflects a life wholly devoted to God, seeking His guidance and wisdom at all times.

(2) But.--The Hebrew is an elliptical expression implying a strong contrast, "nay but," "on the contrary."

The positive side of a good man's character is now described according to the standard which prevailed when the written law first came truly into force.

In the law of Jehovah is his delight.--Or, to the law of Jehovah is his inclination. The Hebrew word means primarily "to bend."

Meditate.--Literally, murmur (of a dove, Isaiah 38:14; of men lamenting, Isaiah 16:7; of a lion growling, Isaiah 31:4; of muttered charms, Isaiah 8:19). (Comp. Joshua 1:8, which might have suggested this). . . .

Verse 2. - But his delight is in the Law of the Lord. The righteous man is not described positively, under two heads.

(1) He delights in the Law (camp. Psalm 109:16, 47, 77; Romans 7:22).

(2) He constantly mediates in it. The "Law" intended - תורה, not התּורה - is probably not the mere Law of Moses, but God's law, as made known to man in any way. Still, the resemblance of the passage to Joshua 1:8 shows the Law of Moses to have been very specially in the writer's thoughts. In his Law doth he meditate day and night; compare, besides Joshua 1:8, the following: Psalm 63:6; Psalm 119:15, 48, 78, 97. Constant meditation in God's Law has characterized all saint.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

his delight
חֶ֫פְצ֥וֹ (ḥep̄·ṣōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2656: Pleasure, desire, a valuable thing, a matter

[is] in the law
בְּתוֹרַ֥ת (bə·ṯō·w·raṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

and on His law
וּֽבְתוֹרָת֥וֹ (ū·ḇə·ṯō·w·rā·ṯōw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

he meditates
יֶהְגֶּ֗ה (yeh·geh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1897: To moan, growl, utter, speak, muse

day
יוֹמָ֥ם (yō·w·mām)
Adverb
Strong's 3119: Daytime, by day

and night.
וָלָֽיְלָה׃ (wā·lā·yə·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity


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OT Poetry: Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in Yahweh's law (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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