Psalms 1, Today's verse is Psalms 1:3

Today we continue our verse by verse look into Psalm 1 by taking a look at Psalms 1:3  You can find the initial overview and observations to Psalm 1, at this link.

And here is where you can find the verse overviews of Psa 1:1-2

For any person who does not have easy access to Bible software you can look up all cross references listed in this blog at the Bible Gateway website.    It is easy and quick to use and you can choose from many different translations.  The cross references are a big part of any Bible Study that we may undertake!

 

 

Psalm 1:3

 

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.  

(Psalms 1:3 ESV)

 

 

 Observations:

• The main character in Psa 1:3 is the blessed man.  This is a further description and development of the positives of the blessed man (as described in Psa_1:1-2 )  who studies and follows  God's law (Word, teaching, instructions). It also continues the contrast (continued in Psa 1:4  ) of the wicked to the blessed man by comparing (in a positive manner) the blessed man to a tree that yields fruit in its season (a seemingly important expression of time?), and whose leaf does not wither.  (this is also an expression of time---A time that does not end as the leaf does NOT wither)  And as a summation the blessed man prospers in all that he does.

My Questions:   

 

• Does planted mean rooted?  Standing firm?  And what does the psalmist mean by "yields its fruit in its season?  And how is prosper used?  I remember something about that from Joshua!!

Things emphasized:  

• The "success", "prosperity", good fortune of the blessed man! 

Things alike:  

• The blessed man is a like a tree planted near an essential source of energy (streams of water), and that yields fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither.  (never ends?!)

Grammatical considerations:  

• Will!  An expression of time.  Future and evermore?  Like!  Direct comparison in this metaphor.  And!  Used twice.  To show that the blessed man is not just planted by the source of energy but will also yield fruit, not whither and prosper in whatever he does.

Terms

tree:

•  ESword concordance search----  Gen 1:29  Gen 2:9  Gen 2:16-17  Job 14:7  Psa 52:8  Pro 3:18  Pro 11:30  Pro 13:12  Psa 92:12  Jer 17:8  Mat 7:17-19 Mat 12:33   Luk 6:43-44  Rev 2:7
• Definition----  refers to trees of all kinds. 

planted:

• ESword concordance search----  Psa 92:13  Eze 17:8  Eze 17:10  Eze 19:10  Eze 19:1 Hos 9:13  Jer 17:8  1Co 3:6  Mat 13:3-9  Mat 13:19-23  Mat 15:10-14  
• Definition---a verb meaning to plant and/or cultivate a seed or seedling in the ground so that it may grow.

streams:

•  ESword concordance search----  Eze 34:13  Jer 31:9  Isa 35:6 
• Definition---- any abundant flow of water.

water:

• ESword concordance search----   Joh 4:14  Joh 7:37-39  Rev 21:6  Isa 12:3  Isa 49:10  Eze 36:25  Isa 55:1  Isa 44:4 

yields:

• ESword concordance search-----  Pro12:12 
• Definition----  This verb means to give or to place.  It is translated many different ways.

fruit:

• ESword concordance search-----  Mat_7:17-19    Joh_15:4-5 
• Definition----  the results of one's deeds or actions. (this symbolic meaning is OFTEN used in poetry.

in it's season:

• Definition------  basically means time.   And has many inferences depending on the context.

 

Other cross references:

• Isa 3:10  Gen 39:3  Gen 39:23  Jos 1:7-8  Pro 12:12  Gal 5:22  Col 2:7  Heb 13:15  Psa 104:19  Dan 2:21  Psa 128:1-2

Answers to my questions above:

• Planted does mean rooted or firmly rooted.  (rooted in God's word..even planted by God Himself (see Mat_15:13 ) 
• The "in its season" remark is vague and I think can be best answered by Joh 21:22  as we should follow  Jesus and follow God's will and we will then do what we He has planned for us at the right time.
• Prosper can mean succeed, be victorious etc. etc.

 

Summary

  

Fairly cut and dry;  The blessed man who meditates on God's law day and night will be rooted by the water (Jesus often referred to  water Joh 4:14 Joh 7:38)  A tree usually grows well by the water..an essential resource.  This tree (the blessed man) will produce his fruit (the fruit he is supposed to bring forth) when it is time!  ( Joh 21:22)  In all that the blessed man does he will prosper because he is doing God's will (since he has been meditating on God's laws day and night!)

Cause:  Meditating on God's law day and night AND THE effect:  producing good fruit and prospering.