Psalm 1: 1-2

Each of these posts in Psalms for Meditation will usually be threefold: the Text, the Text Notes, then a brief Reflection.

Text
Blessed is the one who walketh not in the counsel of the unloving, nor standeth in the way with the selfish, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But whose delight is in thy law; and in thy law doth meditate day and night.

Text Notes

• During personal meditation in the Psalms, it is helpful not to be distracted with gender, so, "man" (1611KJV) is now "one" (K-JIV) in spite of the male root of the Hebrew word.
• Where possible in this version, the Psalmist addresses the Guide directly. So,in the verses above, there is "thy" (K-JIV) rather than "his" (KJV). That is, Psalms for Meditation, K-JIV, speaks first person (to our guide) rather than third person (about the guide). This is the spirit of prayer.
• The word "unloving" illustrates another type of updating. The underlying Hebrew word is not etymologically derived from a component of "god", as in the 1611's "ungodly". The word indicates those who have strayed from the basis of right living: wickedness, waywardness, unloving. To retain the flow of the KJV, "unloving" is used here.
• Similarly, K-JIV's "selfish" rather than the 1611's "sinner" is within the semantic range for the original word.

Reflection
Blessing (or happiness), says the Psalmist, often lies in avoiding those who counsel these three traits: scorn, selfishness or unloving acts. I don't have to look too far to find this counsel: its right in my heart! And, to compound my temptation, our culture sometimes places the highest value on just these traits except we tend to call them "healthy skepticism", "taking care of yourself" and "being pragmatic". My answer? It's the second verse: day and night meditation. Meeting for Worship is wonderful, but personal meditation is possible 24X7. That's the fun and dangerous part: meditation may break out at any moment!