They are like trees planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
As an English major, I always latch on to verses that are lyrical and full of rich imagery. This above section of Psalm 1 is beautiful because it classifies the ‘righteous’ as sturdy trees that abide by nature’s rules and are rewarded for it. In contrast, the ‘wicked’ who sin are carried away by the wind, presumably like dead leaves. This psalm is said to be a wisdom psalm; it is meant to guide followers of the Lord to their true path by telling them that they will be happy if they obey God. Be reliable. Stand tall and proud. Drink freely from the water, become spiritually rich and be happy. The psalm ends on a more daunting note, saying that sinners will perish because there is no hope for them in the eyes of the Lord.