The Lord Knoweth the Way of the Righteous

Psalm 1 presents two contrasted pictures of life, governed by immutable Divine law. The righteous man's happiness operates through the law of attraction and repulsion: he repels evil (verse 1) and is drawn to meditate upon God's Word (verse 2). His life follows the law of vegetable growth (verse 3)—like a fruit tree, it exhibits ceaseless appropriation and transformation, seasonable fruit-bearing, and prosperity under all circumstances.

Against this stands the ungodly (verses 4–6). Their character is self-evolved from their own nature; the righteous draws his character from God. The ungodly possess no solidity, no substance, and are compared to chaff—light, empty, easily scattered. Having no foundation, they cannot "stand in the judgment" and must perish, while the good prosper evermore.

From these contrasts emerges a fundamental lesson: true happiness results not from chance but from law—Divine, immutable, absolute. Every effect requires an adequate cause. An uprooted tree cannot bear fruit; neither can a soul whose faith and love are torn from God know happiness or prosperity. The specific law of spiritual good declares: Character determines destiny.

Yet Adonai has graciously arranged the conditions of happiness and misery to depend upon personal choice. The supreme comfort lies here: "The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous." The final award rests not with man but with God. Consistently throughout Scripture, life is associated with obedience and righteousness; death with disobedience and unrighteousness.