Psalm 1, “Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly,” is the gateway to the whole Book of Psalms. In six verses it sets out two ways of life: the way of the just, who delight in God’s law and flourish like a tree planted by running water, and the way of the wicked, which blows away like dust. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.
Psalm 1 in the Douay-Rheims Bible
Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence.
But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper.
Not so the wicked, not so: but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth.
Therefore the wicked shall not rise again in judgment: nor sinners in the council of the just.
For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: and the way of the wicked shall perish.
Psalm 1: the same number in every Bible
Psalm 1 has the same number in every Bible. The Greek and Latin numbering used by the Douay-Rheims only differs from the modern Hebrew numbering between Psalms 10 and 147. In Latin the psalm begins Beatus vir, qui non abiit in consilio impiorum. See how many psalms are there?
What the psalm means
- Blessed: the psalm begins with happiness. God’s law is not a burden but the road to true joy, the same word Jesus uses in the Beatitudes.
- Three steps away from God: walking in bad counsel, standing in the way of sinners, sitting in “the chair of pestilence.” Sin often grows by stages.
- Meditating day and night: the just person ponders God’s word constantly. See lectio divina.
- A tree by running waters: rooted in God, the just bear fruit in due season, and their leaf does not wither.
- Like dust before the wind: a life without God has no weight and no lasting fruit.
- “The Lord knoweth the way of the just”: God knows and cares for those who walk with him.
How the Church uses Psalm 1
- At Mass on the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) and on the Thursday after Ash Wednesday, with the response “Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.”
- In the Liturgy of the Hours, where it opens the four-week cycle of psalms at the Office of Readings.
- In the early Church, the Fathers saw Christ himself as the perfectly “blessed man” and the tree of life.
A prayer with Psalm 1
Written for this page:
Lord, plant me like a tree beside your running waters.
Keep me from the counsel of the ungodly and the way of sinners.
Give me delight in your word, day and night,
and let my life bear fruit in due season for your glory. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main message of Psalm 1?
There are two ways of life: the way of the just, who delight in God’s law and flourish, and the way of the wicked, which perishes.
Who wrote Psalm 1?
It has no title. Many scholars think it was placed first as an introduction to the whole Book of Psalms.
Why is Psalm 1 the same number in Catholic Bibles?
Because the Hebrew and the Greek and Latin numberings only differ between Psalms 10 and 147.
More psalms and prayers
- Psalm 2 (You are my Son)
- Psalm 15 (Who shall dwell in your tent?)
- Psalm 119 (the longest psalm, a lamp to my feet)
- Psalm 23
- Psalm 37
- The Beatitudes
- Lectio divina
- How many psalms are there?
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalm 1, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.