Chapter 1

David begins the prophecy about Christ. who was to be born from him. Therefore, first of all, He pleases those who trust in Him. He calls those blessed who did not walk “in the counsel of the wicked,” did not stand “in the path of sinners,” and did not sit “on the seats of the destroyers.” For among the Jews three kinds of people rebelled against the Savior: the scribes, the Pharisees and the lawyers, and they are rightly called wicked, sinners and destroyers. And life is called a path, because it leads to the end of those who are born. Ps.1:1. Blessed is the man who does not follow the counsel of the wicked “The council of the wicked” can be called a meeting and gathering of wicked people. And since it is harmful to enter into relations with the assemblies of the wicked, the psalmist pleases the one who does not agree with them in anything. Such was Joseph of Arimathea, who buried the body of the Lord and God; for it is said about him that “he did not adhere to the advice” of those who betrayed Jesus (Luke 23:51). ... and do not sit on the seats of the destroyers: By seat he means the teaching, according to what was said: “in Moses’ seat” (Matthew 23:2). Therefore, the seat of the destroyers is the teaching of the evil ones. Ps.1:2. but his will is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he will learn day and night. In the law, of course - angelic. Expresses unremitting jealousy; because we must not learn the law of the Lord carelessly, and not in such a way that sometimes we learn and sometimes we don’t, but we must always and unceasingly be attached to the words of God. For this is expressed by saying: “day and night.” The reward for a good deed is also wonderful. For whoever exercises himself in the study of God's law will drink from its streams. And Christ called His teaching water, saying: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37). He who learns the law is likened to a tree by the waters, always blooming and always abounding in seasonable fruits. For the ascetics of virtue, although they will bear the fruits of their labors in the future, here too, as if with some leaves, they are overshadowed by good hope, and they cover up the burden of their labors with spiritual pleasure. Such “everything, ..., will have time.” For he who conforms his will to the will of the law will not do anything contrary to God’s laws. And the Psalmist, having first forbidden all types of vice and shown the perfection of divine laws, then added; “everything that is still creative.” Ps.1:3. And it will be like a tree planted by the rising waters, Christ in the inspired Scripture is depicted as the tree of confession, according to what is said: “the tree of life is for all who hold on to it” (Prov. 3:18). Therefore, the Psalmist says that those who believe in Christ will be His body. For “he will transform the body of our humility, so that it may be conformed to the body of His glory” (Phil. 3:21). He calls the divine Scriptures the origins of the “waters,” in which the preached Christ can be found everywhere. Christ is the tree of life; Apostles are branches; blood and water from the side of Christ - fruit, and blood in the image of suffering, and water in the image of baptism; words are leaves. the hedgehog will yield its fruit in its season By the fruit of the tree we understand the right faith, by its leaves - the fulfillment of the commandments. Fruit – those who are saved: root – baptism; farmer - Father. and its leaf will not fall away: and everything that He does will succeed, because a work done according to God cannot be useless. The “time to give” depends on the recipient. Ps.1:5. For this reason the wicked will not rise again for judgment, because they have no roots, but are like the dust of the earth, swept up by the wind. Under the wind, understand God’s menacing broadcast: “Depart from Me, O curse, into eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41). Those who hear this voice will not stand, but will fall, because they are not established in Christ, Who is the support and foundation of believers. For it is said: “for judgment,” and not for interrogation. And the Psalmist adds: “in the council of the righteous,” because he separates the righteous from the sinners. Ps.1:6. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous It is said: “news” *, instead of: honors, as God says to Moses: “I know you above all” (Ex. 33:12), instead I prefer you, and you have found grace from Me. message (church) - knows. Editorial “ABC of Faith” You might be interested in: