“Blessed Is the Man” – A Look at Psalm 1:1
“Blessed Is the Man” – A Look at Psalm 1:1“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.”
— Psalm 1:1 (KJV)
Psalm 1 opens the entire Book of Psalms with a powerful and poetic contrast: the righteous man versus the wicked. Right from the start, we’re given a picture of what it means to be truly “blessed.” But it’s not what the world usually associates with blessing—fame, fortune, or an easy life. Instead, it’s about a heart posture, a way of life, and a deep-rooted connection to God.
Let’s take a closer look.
1. “Blessed is the man…”
The Hebrew word for blessed here is “ashrei,” which conveys joy, contentment, and flourishing. It’s not just a surface-level happiness, but a deep inner well-being that comes from walking in the ways of God.
Notice: the verse starts in the singular—the man. While this applies to all God’s people, it’s personal. It speaks to you. This is about your walk, your choices, your heart.
2. “…that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly”
To walk in someone’s counsel means you’re listening to their advice, letting their worldview shape yours. The “ungodly” here are not necessarily criminals—they’re people who live as if God doesn’t matter. Their thinking excludes God’s wisdom. They may be popular, persuasive, or even well-meaning, but their counsel doesn’t lead to righteousness.
Compare Proverbs 4:14–15:
“Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.”
3. “…nor standeth in the way of sinners”
Now the motion has slowed: from walking to standing. The man is no longer just listening—he’s stopped and identified himself with sinners. This speaks to lifestyle. Sinners aren’t just ungodly; they actively live in rebellion against God.
Romans 1:32 says:
“Who knowing the judgment of God… not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
It’s easy to drift from listening to the world to living like the world. This verse warns us to stay alert and grounded in God’s truth.
4. “…nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
Now he’s sitting. Settled. Comfortable. He has taken up residence with the scornful—those who mock God, His Word, or His people. Scorners are not just sinning; they sneer at righteousness. This is the deepest level of spiritual danger: hard-heartedness.
Proverbs 21:24 says:
“Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.”
God resists the proud (James 4:6), and the scornful are chief among them.
5. The Downward Spiral
Did you notice the descent?
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Walking → Standing → Sitting
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Counsel → Way → Seat
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Ungodly → Sinners → Scornful
It’s a subtle progression. Sin rarely starts with full-blown rebellion. It begins with just listening, then hanging around, and finally settling in. Psalm 1:1 warns us not just against sin, but against the slide toward it.
Where Does the Blessing Come From?
We’re told what the blessed man avoids, but Psalm 1:2-3 tells us what he pursues:
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night… and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
God’s Word becomes the source of joy, stability, and spiritual fruitfulness.
Dig Deeper – Resources for Study
Here are some helpful places to explore more about Psalm 1 and its message:
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🔹 Blue Letter Bible – Psalm 1:1 Commentary
Detailed interlinear Hebrew tools, commentaries, and cross-references. -
🔹 Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Psalm 1
Classic, thoughtful insights from one of the most trusted commentators.
Final Thoughts
Psalm 1:1 isn’t just poetic. It’s practical. It challenges us to think about who’s influencing our thoughts, shaping our values, and determining our direction. The world has a lot of “counsel,” but not all advice is worth taking.
God’s blessing isn’t found in the crowd, in compromise, or in contempt. It’s found in Him—through His Word, His ways, and His wisdom.
“Blessed is the man…”
May that man be you.
