1. The Psalms Types and Styles of Psalms Songs of Ascent (Psalm 120-134)
Alphabetic/Acrostic
Ethical (Psalm 15)
Hallelujah (Psalm 103)
Historical (Psalm 106)
Imprecatory (Psalm 69)
Messianic (Psalms 2 & 110)
Penitential (Psalm 51)
Songs of Ascent (Psalm )
Suffering (Psalm 102)
Thanksgiving (Psalm 100)
Didactic (Psalm 1)
Liturgical (Psalm 136)
Meditation (Psalm 119)
Praise (Psalm 148)
Prayer (Psalm 51)

2. Studies in the
Book of Psalms
Lesson 2: Psalm 1
“The Truly Happy Man”

3. Parallelism in Psalm 1 VERSE 1 -- Stair step (Progressive):
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
VERSE 2 – Cause/Effect (Synthetic)
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
VERSE 3 -- Cause/Effect (Synthetic)
He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither;

4. Parallelism in Psalm 1 VERSE 5 – Repeated Thought (Synonymous)
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
VERSE 6 – Contrast (Antithetical)
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

5. The Blessedness of the Righteous Man
His character described negatively:
Walks not in the counsel of the ungodly
Nor stands in the path of sinners (Proverbs 4:14-15)
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful (Ps. 26:4-5)
His character described positively:
Delights in the law of the Lord (Psalm 40:8; 119:24, 47-48, 103; Jeremiah 15:16)
Meditates day and night (Psalm 119:97-99)
His prosperity (3 John 2)
Like a tree (Ps. 92:12-15; Jer. 17:7-9)
Whatever he does will prosper (Josh. 1:7-8)

6. The Desperation of the Wicked
Nothing like the righteous
They are like the chaff which the wind drives away (Ps. 83:13; Job 21:17-18)
Chaff is “the seed coverings and other debris separated from the seed in threshing grain”

7. The Desperation of the Wicked
Their sorry end:
The wicked shall not ultimately enjoy the same position as the righteous.
Barnes says, “…they would not share the lot of the righteous: in all places, and at all times, where character is determined, and where the divine estimate of human character is manifested…Their true character would in all such cases be shown, and they would be treated like the chaff that is driven away. This would be true alike in those situations of trial in the present life when character is determined, and at the last judgment…” (Revelation 6:17)

8. The Lord knows the way of the righteous
A Final Contrast Between the Way of the Righteous and the Way of the Wicked
The Lord knows the way of the righteous
The Lord protects and preserves those whom He knows
“The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)
Psalm 37:18; John 10:14, 27
Those whom the Lord “never knew” shall perish (cf. Matthew 7:23)