1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
<html><b>The praises of a man</b> This book was composed with ten expressions of song: 1) with conducting, 2) with melody, 3) with musical accompaniment, 4) with song, 5) with praise, 6) with prayer, 7) with blessing, 8) with thanksgiving, 9) with praises, and 10) with “Praise God.” These correspond to the ten men who composed them: 1) Adam, 2) Malchizedek, 3) Abraham, 4) Moses, 5) David, 6) Solomon, 7) Asaph, and 8-10) the three sons of Korah. Concerning Jeduthun, there is a dispute. Some say that Jeduthun was a man, as is written in Chronicles. Others maintain that Jeduthun mentioned in this Book means nothing else but the ordinances (דתות) and laws of the decrees that were passed over him and over Israel. <b>The praises of a man</b> Heb. אשרי les felicements(?) in Old French. The praises of a man, and these are the praises of a man: that he did not follow, because since he did not follow, he did not stand, and since he did not stand, he did not sit. <b>scorners</b> (Old French, gabors.)</html>
<html><b>But his desire is in the law of the Lord</b> Hence you learn that the company of scorners brings one to neglect the study of Torah. <b>and in his law he meditates</b> In the beginning, it is called the law of the Lord, and after he has toiled to master it, it is called his own Torah. <b>he meditates</b> Heb. יהגה. Every expression of הגה refers to the heart, as you say (below 19:15): “and the meditation (והגיון) of my heart”; (Isa. 33:18), “Your heart shall meditate (יהגה) in fear”; (Prov. 24:2), “For their heart thinks (יהגה) of plunder.”</html>
<html><b>planted</b> Heb. שתול, plonte in Old French (plante). <b>rivulets</b> ruyseys in Old French, (ruisseaux), brooks (as in Ezek. 32:6). <b>and its leaves do not wilt</b> Even the inferior part of it serves a purpose. The conversation of Torah scholars is essential and requires study. <b>do not wilt</b> Heb. יבול, an expression of wilting, fleistre in Old French.</html>
<html><b>like chaff</b> An expression of straw, come bale in Old French (comme paille), like straw.</html>
<html><b>Therefore, etc.</b> This refers to the verse following it.</html>
<html><b>For the Lord knows the way, etc.</b> Because He knows the way of the righteous, and it is before Him to recognize it constantly; the way of the wicked is hateful to Him, and He removes it from before Him. Therefore, the foot of the wicked will not stand up on the day of judgment, neither shall the sinners be written in the congregation of the righteous.</html>