RR Psalm 1:1 Part 1 (rerun)
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Trail: Shalom my friends! I’m going in for surgery (nothing serious) tomorrow, and covet your prayers. Today has been a busy day. Despite my best intentions, I have not been able to concentrate, so the RR below is a rerun. It is from two years ago (almost to the day). Blessings, Rabbi (Emeritus) Michael. End RT.
The Psalms
An Introduction, Psalms 1 and 2
Part 1, Psalm 1:1
Psalm 1:1 Happy is the one who has not walked in the advice of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of scoffers.
Who doesn’t want to be happy? The Hebrew word is “Ashre” (pronounced “Ash-ray”). I believe it may be an onomatopoeia (sounds like what it means), intended to be a shout for joy (like in English “hooray” or “yippee”). The first word of the first Psalm is describes a man who shouts for joy on account of the errors he has avoided, there are three of them, walk, stand, sit.
First, this is a happy man who has “not walked in the advice of the wicked.” The Hebrew word for “wicked” is “Rash.” It also means evil and criminal, first mentioned in Genesis 18 to note the difference between the righteous and the wicked as Abraham interceded for Sodom. Without even 10 righteous, Sodom could not be saved. Wouldn’t you be happy to avoid following the advice of the wicked men of Sodom?
“The way” in Hebrew is “Derech.” It is the word used to describe a road. In ancient times, these were frequently used paths. The original followers of Yeshua were called “followers of the way.” The description here in Psalm 1 verse 1 is the joy one experiences for not following the “other way.” The way of sinners (Chattah). This word for sinners is also first used to describe the citizens of Sodom in Genesis 13:13 But the people of Sodom were evil—very great sinners against Adonai. Their “way” is a road that leads to destruction.
Finally, there is the joy of not sitting in a unholy seat called “the seat of scoffers.” Sitting and dwelling are analogous in Hebrew. But this seat is reserved for scorners. The same Hebrew word (Lutz) is used to describe Job’s friends. Job 16:20 My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. (KJV) And as “scorners” they were finding fault with righteousness. Be a real friend of God and don’t sit there.
That’s it, a triple portion of joy experienced by those who avoid being (walk, stand, or sit) in the way or manner of evil people. Romans 6:23 For sin’s payment is death, but God’s gracious gift is eternal life in Messiah Yeshua our Lord. So glad for the “but” in that verse. Oh happy day!
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri 27-Feb-2026 10th of Adar, 5786
Ex 29:38-46 Isa 1 Pr 1 Ac 1 (Heb 7)
Rabbi Trail: Shalom my friends! I’m going in for surgery (nothing serious) tomorrow, and covet your prayers. Today has been a busy day. Despite my best intentions, I have not been able to concentrate, so the RR below is a rerun. It is from two years ago (almost to the day). Blessings, Rabbi (Emeritus) Michael. End RT.
The Psalms
An Introduction, Psalms 1 and 2
Part 1, Psalm 1:1
Psalm 1:1 Happy is the one who has not walked in the advice of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of scoffers.
Who doesn’t want to be happy? The Hebrew word is “Ashre” (pronounced “Ash-ray”). I believe it may be an onomatopoeia (sounds like what it means), intended to be a shout for joy (like in English “hooray” or “yippee”). The first word of the first Psalm is describes a man who shouts for joy on account of the errors he has avoided, there are three of them, walk, stand, sit.
First, this is a happy man who has “not walked in the advice of the wicked.” The Hebrew word for “wicked” is “Rash.” It also means evil and criminal, first mentioned in Genesis 18 to note the difference between the righteous and the wicked as Abraham interceded for Sodom. Without even 10 righteous, Sodom could not be saved. Wouldn’t you be happy to avoid following the advice of the wicked men of Sodom?
“The way” in Hebrew is “Derech.” It is the word used to describe a road. In ancient times, these were frequently used paths. The original followers of Yeshua were called “followers of the way.” The description here in Psalm 1 verse 1 is the joy one experiences for not following the “other way.” The way of sinners (Chattah). This word for sinners is also first used to describe the citizens of Sodom in Genesis 13:13 But the people of Sodom were evil—very great sinners against Adonai. Their “way” is a road that leads to destruction.
Finally, there is the joy of not sitting in a unholy seat called “the seat of scoffers.” Sitting and dwelling are analogous in Hebrew. But this seat is reserved for scorners. The same Hebrew word (Lutz) is used to describe Job’s friends. Job 16:20 My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. (KJV) And as “scorners” they were finding fault with righteousness. Be a real friend of God and don’t sit there.
That’s it, a triple portion of joy experienced by those who avoid being (walk, stand, or sit) in the way or manner of evil people. Romans 6:23 For sin’s payment is death, but God’s gracious gift is eternal life in Messiah Yeshua our Lord. So glad for the “but” in that verse. Oh happy day!
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri 27-Feb-2026 10th of Adar, 5786
Ex 29:38-46 Isa 1 Pr 1 Ac 1 (Heb 7)
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