Log inSign up

Psalm 1 · a question people ask

What is "the LORD’s law" (1:2) that the blessed man delights in?

In the text

In Hebrew law is torah (tap law), which Brown-Driver-Briggs gives as "direction, instruction, law". The psalm doesn't say which writings it has in view, or how much of them. Joshua was told, "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night" (Joshua 1:8), with the same Hebrew words for law, meditate and day and night. Psalm 119's first verse has Psalm 1's words for Blessed and the LORD's law: "Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the LORD’s law" (Psalm 119:1), and later says, "How I love your law! It is my meditation all day" (Psalm 119:97), where meditation is another Hebrew word from Psalm 1's meditates. What Psalm 1 does say is how the man holds it: "his delight is in the LORD’s law" (1:2).

The verses

“but his delight is in the LORD’s law. On his law he meditates day and night.”
Psalm 1:2 · World English Bible
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.”
Joshua 1:8 · World English Bible
“ALEPH Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the LORD’s law.”
Psalm 119:1 · World English Bible
“How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.”
Psalm 119:97 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 1

Psalm 1: Blessed is the man

The first verse and the last share one Hebrew word: "the path of sinners" (1:1) and "the way of the wicked" (1:6) are both derekh. And the stand the blessed man won't take (1:1) isn't the stand the wicked can't make in the judgment (1:5): the WEB has one word, the Hebrew two verbs.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekPsalm 1 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 1

All questions about Psalms →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions