Psalm 1:1–2 (KJV): meaning and how to memorise it

What Psalm 1:1–2 says

The first psalm calls the man blessed who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. He delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night.

Psalm 1:1–2 in context

¹Blessed 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. ²But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. ³And 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. ⁴The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. ⁵Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

Psalm 1, verses 1–5. Read the whole chapter with John Brown’s notes in the Self-Interpreting Bible.

Psalm 1:1–2 in the catechisms

The Reformation catechisms and confessions cite Psalm 1:1–2 3 times as a proof text.

WLC 113
What are the sins forbidden in the third commandment?
HC 114
But can those converted to God keep these commandments perfectly?
WLC 157
How is the word of God to be read?

How to memorise Psalm 1:1–2

Hearers breaks the verse into clauses and teaches each clause in four steps. Then it brings each clause back just before you forget it.

01
Read
Read the verse with the clauses marked. Listen to it read aloud.
02
Trace
Type the first letter of each word, with the words shown faintly.
03
Fade
Half of the words go. Type the text again, and fill the gaps from memory.
04
Recall
All the words go. Type it or say it aloud. Each clause gets its own grade and its own review date.