Psalms 1:5
What does Psalms 1:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 1:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 1:5 means
This verse declares the ultimate consequence of the wicked's unstable and godless way of life: they will not be able to stand in God's judgment. “Stand” implies being acquitted or holding one’s ground. Nor will they have a place among the righteous in the assembly of God's people. This signifies a complete separation, not just in this life but in the eternal reckoning, where their lack of spiritual foundation will be fully exposed, and their exclusion from God's presence and His redeemed community will be final.
Psalms 1:5 in context
Psalms 1 — The Two Ways
The Psalter opens with a portrait of two roads. The blessed man does not stand in the path of sinners; instead he meditates on God's law day and night and is like a tree planted by streams of water, fruitful in its season. The wicked are not so — they are like chaff the wind drives away. The chapter is the doorway to all 150 psalms: prayer and praise grow out of a life rooted in the Word.
- Meditation on Scripture
- Two ways
- Fruitfulness
- Judgment
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this cause there will be no mercy for sinners when they are judged, and the evil-doers will have no place among the upright,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Therefore the wicked rise not in judgment, Nor sinners in the company of the righteous,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore the wicked shall not rise again in judgment: nor sinners in the council of the just.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
Context
Building upon the depiction of the wicked as chaff in verse 4, this verse elaborates on their ultimate destiny. It moves from their present instability to their future judgment and exclusion, providing a clear consequence for their chosen path. This directly precedes the final verse, which summarizes the different fates of both the righteous and the wicked, bringing the psalm's comparison to its powerful conclusion.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:
- Matthew 25:46
And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.
- Psalms 26:9
Gather not my soul with sinners, Nor my life with men of blood;
- Matthew 13:49
So shall it be in the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the righteous,
- Malachi 3:18
Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
- Psalms 24:3
Who shall ascend into the hill of Jehovah? And who shall stand in his holy place?
Sermon ideas from Psalms 1:5
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Psalms 1:5 teaches us about meditation on scripture
What Psalms 1:5 teaches us about two ways
What Psalms 1:5 teaches us about fruitfulness
What Psalms 1:5 teaches us about judgment
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