Psalm 1

text adapted from Psalm 1 by Jon F. Caudle, Jr.
Copyright © 2006 by Jon F. Caudle, Jr.
Link to sheet music available here.

this Psalm could be considered a summary of what the entire Psalmbook is about: a contrast between those who love the Law of YHWH and walk in it, and those who are autonomous (self-ruled, apart from God's Law). Those who walk in God's law are said to prosper, whatever their pursuit. While this does not necessarily entail what the world would define as success, it is a more real and more full and ultimately more demonstrable prosperity.

Stanza 1
1.Bless'd is the man who does not walk
In counsel of ungodly men,
Nor in the path of sinners stands,
Nor in the scorner's seat will sit.
2.But in the LORD's Law he delights,
And meditates, both day and night.

Stanza 2
3.He shall be like a tree that grows
Embedded by the river stream.
In season, it brings forth its fruit;
Its leaves are never withering.
In season it brings forth its fruit;
He prospers, whate'er his pursuit.

Stanza 3
4.The godless, though, are not to be,
But are like chaff which blows away.
5.Avoiding righteous company
They'll surely fall on judgment day.
6.The righteous of the LORD endure,
But godless ones shall perish sure.

the meter of this psalm is 8.8.8.8.8.8. I did not write a new tune for it, but instead, selected a favorite which uses that meter: John B. Dyke's MELITA (Eternal Father, Strong to Save) and (How Lovely, LORD of Hosts, to Me)