yrva “How to be emulated” God blesses individuals or groups directly or through an agent (such as a priest) ashre does not bring about a blessing, but is an observation made about a person who is blessed ashre is reserved for humans, not plants, animals, or God

Psalm 1 (1) How to be emulated is the person who has not walked in the advice of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the session of the arrogant scoffers. (2) But in the instruction or revelation of Yahweh is her delight In this Torah she meditates day and night (3) This enviable person is like a tree transplanted by irrigation canals, which produces its fruit at its expected time; its leaves do not wither, and all-it-puts-forth prospers.

(4) Not like this are the wicked But they are like the chaff which the wind drives away (5) Thus the wicked have no standing in the place of judgment nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous (6) For Yahweh knows/cares for/embraces/elects the way of the righteous while the way of the wicked perishes.

Structure of Psalm describe the righteous, without calling them righteous –v 1 negative; v 2 positive; v 3 simile with three comparisons with a tree 4-5 describe the wicked –v 4 simile with one comparison with chaff –v 5 negative 6 opposite fates of righteous and wicked –righteous dependent; wicked autonomous

Structure of Psalm Righteous 4-5 Wicked 6a Righteous 6b Wicked

Structure (continued) 1 Negative description of righteous 2 Positive description of righteous 3 Positive simile about righteous 4 Positive simile about wicked 5 Negative description of wicked 6 a Positive fate of righteous 6b Negative fate of wicked