Psalm 1 “A Psalm of Wisdom” Reflecting on the on the Genres and Themes in the Psalms.
The next few studies will focus on the various genres found in the Psalms and how to recognize them. Wisdom Psalms are similar to other Wisdom literature in
the Scripture. Proverbs is the most familiar to most of us. What are the other three book?
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Wisdom Psalms tend to share a common theme:
1. Blessing of righteous (may include the righteous observance of the LAW and its practical application)
2. Condemnation of the unrighteous (may include the wrong doing, hatred of God and His LAW)
3. Promoted positive reflections on the LAW and obedience
Wisdom themes are not solely limited to the Psalms and the three other books. It is found throughout scripture in man practical ways, interwoven in the
historical accounts and New Testament epistles.
The emphasized characteristics of the Psalms and their Genre changes depending on the authors you may read. Common agreement on the overlapping of the
various elements found within the poetic structure of the language allows for varied application of the Genre classifications.
The list is wide and varied but the following list is general with no specific order:
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Laments (Prayers und persecution / struggles / hard times) Individual and Congregational)
Song of Praise (Worship reflecting on blessing, joy, and the wonder of God)
Song of Thanksgiving (Generally addressing specific answers to prayer)
Wisdom (General focus on teaching, instruction)
Royal (Written specifically for the King)
Confession / Trust (Focused on specific trials)
Temple Liturgy Song (Community songs used upon entrance to the temple / tabernacle)
Pilgrimage Song(Community songs used on holy journey)
As can be seen in the list above, some of the features for any given Psalm may overlap to include elements of others. Psalm 19 might be divided into two psalms
the first 6 verses as Praise the final 8 as Wisdom. This is true of many of the Psalms. This is consistent with the understanding that all Scripture is inspired by
God and is wholly consistent with itself.
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Psalm 1 “A Psalm of Wisdom” Reflecting on the on the Genres and Themes in the Psalms.
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
Blessed ones signifies the condition or state of the path such men are on. Literally they are
straight, their path is straight. It reflects the key phrase in the final verse “the LORD knows
the way of the Righteous,” indeed they are in fact blessed because the LORD knows them
and it is the relational knowledge of deep intimacy which is spoken of here. (Verify
references Matthew 7:21-24)
Walks  Ungodly
Stands  Sinner
Sits
 Scornful
} PARALLELISM
Here in the negative we are shown how the Blessed are dissimilar to the reprobate. Here
parallelism is used to emphasize the actions avoided by the righteous while the reprobate
are declared wicked in an extreme sense through the use of threefold repetition.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
Blessed ones is still in view within verse 2.
One of the key reflection is upon the LAW of the LORD (YHWH /
Delight
 Law of the LORD
Meditates  in His LAW
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Day and Night
‫)יְ הוָֹ ה‬
Parallelism is employed again along with a distinctive in the quality of the correct practice.
The Blessed ones not only delight in but meditate upon the LAW day and night.
Like a tree (blesses ones) remains in view. Here tree is important as a creation element;
it is being used to show dependence. Also planted provides us with a creation view as does
the location of the
its fruit
whose leaf
whatever he does



brings forth
shall not wither
shall Prosper
IN IT SEASON creation conditional
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Psalm 1 “A Psalm of Wisdom” Reflecting on the on the Genres and Themes in the Psalms.
The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore
Here there is the contract (antithesis) between the wicked or ungodly and the Blessed
ones.
Blessed ones
Ungodly not so


Like a tree
Like the chaff


planted by the rivers of water
which the wind drives away
Therefore introduces the conclusion of the Psalm statement. Again parallelism is
employed.
SHALL NOT STAND
the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Ungodly 
Sinners 
the judgment
the congregation
Implication: The Righteous WILL STAND
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
Why: For the LORD knows
The way 
The way….
Shall perish
The Righteous
The Ungodly
Is the periscope accurate? The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly
Psalm 1 teaches us the several things:
1. Verses 1&2 teach us how to recognize the Righteous man through the way he lives his life.
2. Verse 3 tells us of the origin of his Happiness, straightness, blessed ones: God plants, God provides the water for rivers, God provides the fruit, God
prevents the withering away, God provides the season. GOD PROVIDES THE BLESSED ONES PROSPERITY
3. Verses 4&5 tells us of the assurance of destruction for the ungodly. Like chaff they were given life but God takes it away. They cannot stand against the
righteous, with them or before the judgment of GOD.
4. Verse 6 restates the security of the righteous who are supported and upheld by God while the ungodly will perish.
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