Bible study on Psalm 1 —s.

Psalm 1 Bible Study

The Text (KJV)

1. 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.
2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3. 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.
4. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff 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 righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

📖 Key Themes

1. The Way of the Righteous vs. The Way of the Wicked

Psalm 1 introduces us to a clear contrast: there are two paths—one leading to life and blessing, the other to destruction. It frames life as a choice of allegiance and direction.

2. Progression of Sin (v.1)

Notice the downward spiral: walk → stand → sit.

Walk with the ungodly = casual influence.
Stand with sinners = lingering, identifying.
Sit with the scornful = belonging, hardened attitude.
Sin often pulls us in gradually, one small compromise at a time.

3. The Delight of the Righteous (v.2)

The righteous person delights in God’s Word. Meditation here means more than reading—it’s chewing, muttering, pondering. Like savoring a meal, God’s Word becomes nourishment for the soul.

4. The Tree and the Chaff (v.3–4)

The righteous are compared to a tree planted by streams—rooted, nourished, fruitful, enduring.
The wicked are compared to chaff—light, rootless, driven by the wind. One endures; the other disappears.

5. The Final Outcome (v.5–6)

The righteous are known (loved, cared for, guided) by the Lord.
The wicked perish—their way ends in ruin.

Reflection Questions

What influences are shaping my walk? Am I allowing ungodly counsel into my daily life through friends, media, or habits?
Do I truly delight in God’s Word, or do I treat it like a task? How can I grow in meditation?
Where do I see the difference between being a rooted tree and being blown about like chaff?
What encouragement do I draw from the fact that God “knows the way of the righteous”?

Application

Daily Word: Commit to reading and meditating on Scripture daily, even a few verses at a time.
Guard Your Walk: Be intentional about who and what influences your thinking.
Seek Deep Roots: Invest in practices that nourish faith—prayer, fellowship, worship.
Live Fruitfully: Let your life produce kindness, generosity, and witness that points others to God.

✨ Prayer

Lord, make me like a tree planted by Your streams of living water. Guard me from the slow drift toward sin. Help me to delight in Your Word and bear fruit in season. May my life be rooted in You, so that I stand firm in every storm. Amen.

Psalm 1 – Bible Study Sheet
Key Scripture: Psalm 1

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.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
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.
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the
righteous.
For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Key Themes

Two Paths: The righteous versus the wicked.
Progression of Sin: walk ® stand ® sit (gradual compromise).
Delighting in God’s Word: Meditation as daily nourishment.
Tree vs. Chaff: Rooted fruitfulness versus rootless emptiness.
Final Outcome: God knows the righteous, the wicked perish.
Reflection Questions
What influences are shaping my walk daily?
Do I delight in God’s Word, or treat it as a task?
Am I rooted like a tree, or tossed like chaff?
What encouragement do I find in God knowing my way?
Application
Commit to meditating on Scripture daily.
Guard your walk from ungodly influence.
Seek deep roots through prayer, fellowship, and worship.
Live fruitfully—let your actions reflect God’s truth.
Prayer
Lord, make me like a tree planted by streams of water. Keep me from the slow drift toward sin. Help me
delight in Your Word and bear fruit in season. Amen

Other verses where chaff is mentioned.

Judgment (Matthew 3:12)
John the Baptist said of Jesus:

“His winnowing fork is in his hand… He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Worthlessness & Destruction (Job 21:18; Isaiah 17:13; Hosea 13:3)

Chaff symbolizes a life without lasting value — easily scattered or destroyed.