The big picture
Psalms 1 opens in verse 1 with “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 3 with “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his…”, and closes in verse 6 with “For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Repeated or prominent terms include ungodly, LORD, righteous, sinners, Blessed. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 6Psalms 1:1-6
1–6: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor…
Psalms 1:1–6 opens with “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of…” and reaches “For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Two ways: a rooted tree beside water contrasted with a wind-scattered path of chaff, with particular weight carried by ungodly, LORD, righteous.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in…” Naming Blessed keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 1:1-6
King James Version1Blessed 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.
2But his delight is in the law of the LORD ; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3And 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.
4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 1:1 begins with “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.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 1:2 forms a natural hinge: “But his delight is in the law of the LORD ; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
The final note
Psalms 1:6 leaves the reader with “For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words ungodly, LORD, righteous, sinners, Blessed, bringeth help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Who receives the image and the blessing?
Both male and female in verses 27-28. Human worth precedes achievement.
What limits human dominion?
The world belongs to its Creator and is already declared good. Compare the charge to tend and keep in 2:15.
KJV words made clear
- doth
- does
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.