Psalms 1:3

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְֽהָיָ֗ה H1961
וְֽהָיָ֗ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּעֵץ֮ And he shall be like a tree H6086
כְּעֵץ֮ And he shall be like a tree
Strong's: H6086
Word #: 2 of 17
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
שָׁת֪וּל planted H8362
שָׁת֪וּל planted
Strong's: H8362
Word #: 3 of 17
to transplant
עַֽל H5921
עַֽל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 4 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פַּלְגֵ֫י by the rivers H6388
פַּלְגֵ֫י by the rivers
Strong's: H6388
Word #: 5 of 17
a rill (i.e., small channel of water, as in irrigation)
מָ֥יִם of water H4325
מָ֥יִם of water
Strong's: H4325
Word #: 6 of 17
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
אֲשֶׁ֤ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 7 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
פִּרְי֨וֹ׀ his fruit H6529
פִּרְי֨וֹ׀ his fruit
Strong's: H6529
Word #: 8 of 17
fruit (literally or figuratively)
יִתֵּ֬ן that bringeth forth H5414
יִתֵּ֬ן that bringeth forth
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 9 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּעִתּ֗וֹ in his season H6256
בְּעִתּ֗וֹ in his season
Strong's: H6256
Word #: 10 of 17
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
וְעָלֵ֥הוּ his leaf H5929
וְעָלֵ֥הוּ his leaf
Strong's: H5929
Word #: 11 of 17
a leaf (as coming up on a tree); collectively, foliage
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 12 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִבּ֑וֹל also shall not wither H5034
יִבּ֑וֹל also shall not wither
Strong's: H5034
Word #: 13 of 17
to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint
וְכֹ֖ל H3605
וְכֹ֖ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 14 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 15 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה and whatsoever he doeth H6213
יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה and whatsoever he doeth
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 16 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יַצְלִֽיחַ׃ shall prosper H6743
יַצְלִֽיחַ׃ shall prosper
Strong's: H6743
Word #: 17 of 17
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

Cross References

Jeremiah 17:8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.Ezekiel 47:12And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.Psalms 92:14They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;John 15:6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.Genesis 39:23The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.Ezekiel 19:10Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.Revelation 22:2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.Ezekiel 17:8It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.Matthew 13:6And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.Genesis 39:3And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

Analysis & Commentary

This extended simile of the flourishing tree presents the fruit of meditation: spiritual prosperity and stability. The tree 'planted' (not wild) by rivers suggests intentional cultivation through God's grace. The promise of perpetual vitality ('leaf shall not wither') and success ('whatsoever he doeth shall prosper') describes covenant blessing, not materialistic prosperity, fulfilled ultimately in Christ who declared Himself the true vine (John 15:5). This prosperity includes spiritual fruitfulness, perseverance through trials, and God's favor on righteous endeavors.

Historical Context

The imagery of water and fertility would resonate powerfully in the arid climate of ancient Israel, where irrigation-fed trees stood in stark contrast to vegetation dependent on seasonal rains. The metaphor drew from agricultural reality to teach spiritual truth.

Questions for Reflection

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