Old Testament Commentary - Psalms 1

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 1 Blessed are the righteous—The ungodly shall perish.
1 Blessed is the man that ^awalketh not in the ^bcounsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the ^cscornful. 2 But his ^adelight is in the ^blaw of the LORD; and in his law doth he ^cmeditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a ^atree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither^a; and whatsoever he doeth shall ^bprosper. Tree of Everlasting Life How much like the vision of the tree of life, the words of Amulek and the tree of life in the Garden of Eden is this concept of this tree being plated by the rivers of water. Lehi saw an external tree of life which bore the fruit of Jesus Christ unto life everlasting. Nephi interpreted that tree and fruit as the love of Christ. Amulek taught after Alma spoke of planting the seed in our heart of a tree growing forth of it unto everlasting life. And the Garden of Eden held the tree of life which was more the presence of God than merely a physical tree which bore fruit which enabled eternal life.	3^a his leaf also shall not wither The concept of the leaf that is forever green and living would be expressed in land of a winter climate as an 'evergreen'. It is the symbol of everlasting life, that the tree has grown into a state of everlasting life and immortality. Indeed it is a tree of everlasting life.	2^a Jer. 17:8 (7-8); Alma 33:23; 1 Ne. 8:10-12; 1 Ne. 11:21-23; ^b Gen. 39:3 (2-3); Mosaih 1:7; Alma 50:20; Hel. 12:1; D&C 9:13
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the ^achaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the ^arighteous: but the way of the ^bungodly shall perish.