And 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.
What does Psalms 1:3 mean?
To meditate in God's word, is to discourse with ourselves concerning the great things contained in it, with close application of mind and fixedness of thought.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside its immediate passage and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Psalms 1:3
And he shall be like a tree - A description of the happiness or prosperity of the man who thus avoids the way of sinners, and who delights in the law of God, now follows. This is presented in the form of a very beautiful image - a tree planted where its roots would have abundance of water. Planted by the rivers of water - It is not a tree that springs up spontaneously, but one that is set out in a favorable place, and that is cultivated with care. The word "rivers" does not here quite express the sense of the original.
Key words
- planted
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And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,.
- rivers
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And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,.
- water
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And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,.
Context in Psalms 1
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Psalms 1 belongs to the opening movement of the book, especially the section often described as Book I. Psalms is the Bible’s great book of sung prayer, teaching the full range of faithful speech from anguish and repentance to jubilation and doxology. Read this chapter with the wider themes of prayer, praise, and lament in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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