THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN

MARACAS ROYAL ROAD, MARACAS, ST. JOSEPH

Assignment #1
Psalm 1

An Assignment
Presented in Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements of the Course
ENGL425 Topics in: Biblical Literature

INSTRUCTOR: Mrs. Nicola Bengochea

By

18 February 2018

Approval …………………………………
Introduction

The book of Psalms falls into the category of the poetical books of the Bible or what is

also known as the Wisdom Literature. Psalms is a book of Israel’s poetic hymns, petitions and

praises. This book has various authors ascribed to it, with David being the author of the majority,

with at least seventy being credited to him. Many of the psalms were originally written as hymns

to be sung in religious services; these were used for prayer, praises, and meditation.

The Theme of Psalm 1

Psalm 1 begins the book by showing a contrast between the godly and the ungodly. It

gives a brief but sharp distinction between the conduct of the righteous person and that of the

wicked person.1 Its theme is one of the major themes of the entire book, and that is the author’s

concern for the vindication of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked. This Psalms

presents the the privileges and blessings of the person who is seeking to be faithful in serving the

Lord.  It also speaks of the curses, judgment and condemnation of the person who goes against

the Lord and His people and spurns the counsel and admonitions of the Lord.

The Tone of Psalm 1

The tone of a literary piece helps the reader understand the writer’s feeling toward the

particular topic being presented. The author in this Psalm presents a tone that portrays instruction

and wise counsel, as a father to a son. The author’s tone is one that seeks the reader to reflect on

this counsel. It is one of introspection. It also denotes warning for those who decide against God.

1
Hill, Andrew E., and John H. Walton. A survey of the Old Testament. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan Publishing House, 2009. 427

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Three (3) Literary Device Used in Psalm 1

As a poetical book, the book of Psalms is full of literary devices; its first chapter is no

exception. Three of these literary devices found in Psalm 1 are similes, metaphors and merisms.

The Effects of these Devices

1. Similes are used to compare one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to

make a description more emphatic or vivid. In Psalm 1, there are at least two of these

similes. In verse 3, the Psalmist presents the godly man as one who is “like a tree planted

by the rivers of water.” In verse 4, the ungodly are compared to “the chaff which the

wind driveth away.” The first comparison is used to show the strength of the righteous

man as he receives continual refreshing from God, producing much fruit (good works and

maintains godly morality). The sustaining power of God is also showed here as there is

no withering of the leaves of the tree to which he is compared. His work is blessed by

God and all that he attends to prospers. Vastly contrasting this simile is the simile of

verse 4 in describing the wicked. Here the wicked are likened undo the chaff. It is an

interesting simile as it shows the intrinsic worthlessness of the wicked, their lack of

substance and their inability to stand in the day of God’s judgment. The use of these

similes undoubtedly presents to the reader the vast polarized differences between the two

sets of persons being compared. The writer’s intention is to present these two persons as

opposite as day and night, and that is exactly what is done in employing the use of these

two similes.

2. Metaphors are the language of the Psalms. The book of Psalms seems to be riddled with

metaphors, and as it is intended shows direct comparisons of two things. Its

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 pervasiveness in the Psalms is evident at the very beginning of the book, for Psalm starts

out with several metaphors:

“Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth

in the way of the sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful”.

The actions presented in this verse are not literal, but all metaphorical as there are no

literal places to walk or stand or sit. These metaphors presents the godly man as not being

led away by evil desires but by the Word of God, not seeking company with those that do

evil but with those who seek only to do good, and finally does not scorn the things of

God but embraces it. It is also noteworthy that this approach by the Psalmist to present

the negative precepts may be more absolute and preemptory than the use of affirmatives.2

Instead of saying “blessed in the man who walks in the counsel of the godly”, the

Psalmists presents an alternative approach and uses the negative precept for a greater

sensitivity to the importance of the man who stays away from evil – blessed is the man

who does not...

3. Merisms are used to show a listing of opposite parts standing for a whole. In verse 2 of

the Psalm, the righteous man is presented as one who “meditates on the law of the Lord

day and night.” The use of “day and night” here shows clear opposites but is used to

express the continuity of the action. It expressed the wholeness of the process, one that

continuously goes full circle.

Jumping back to metaphors briefly, the use of “day and night” in verse 2 can also be seen

metaphorically, as this may also connote that in good times, represented by “day”, and in times

of trials represented by “night”, the righteous man is to continuously meditate on God’s law.
2
"Psalm 1:1 Commentary - The Treasury of David." Bible Study Tools. Accessed February 15,
2018. https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/treasury-of-david/psalms-1-1.html.

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The Use of Imagery in Psalm 1

Imagery is used to draw the reader into a sensory experience with the text. The author

uses imagery as a means of making the message clearer through the use of images, sounds,

scents, touch, to bring a realistic, relatable perspective, causing the reader to be fully immersed

into the message the writer is desirous of sharing. This poem presents such, as it uses the scene

of a fertile place and later contrasts it with dry, worthless substance. This is illustrated with the

presentation of a fruit-bearing tree planted by the rivers of water, and is later contrasted with

chaff that the wind blows away. In the first scenario the writer presents beauty and calm depicted

by a vigorous tree planted next to water-channel, that continuously bears fruit. There is no

withering of the leaves and the fruit is presented as a rich, health product of this tree. This

imagery indeed appeals to the senses of the reader. It presents a picture of strength, security; it

appeals to the one who may be weary as it presents a place of tranquility, where one can be

refreshed. In contrast, the image of the dried chaff being blown away easily by the wind presents

to the reader a picture of barrenness, desolation and hopelessness. These two pieces of imagery

brings clarity to the writer’s intention as it appeals directly to the reader senses and to a situation

that they can experience and are possibly familiar with in their reality.

References:

Hill, Andrew E., and John H. Walton. A survey of the Old Testament. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan Publishing House, 2009.

"Psalm 1:1 Commentary - The Treasury of David." Bible Study Tools. Accessed February 15, 2018.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/treasury-of-david/psalms-1-1.html.

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