Psalm 1 LXX
Sep 29, 2019
Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 form the prologue to the entire Psalter. With reference to the MT-150 (the Masoretic Text Psalter), Peter C.W. Ho explains,* “...the prologue is programmatic of the shape and theme of the Psalter. The Prologue is a triptych that has both concentric and linear dimensions. Linearly, it develops the ways and outcomes of the righteous and the wicked. Their concentric focal points characterize the blessed state of the righteous man in the paradisiacal garden (Ps 1) which is enabled by the triumphant messianic king at Zion (Ps 2). In a similar way, the MT-150 is structured as a larger triptych (Books I, II-III, IV-V), capturing the righteous’ journey to an ideal Zion via an ideal Messianic king.” The text does read like the Genesis account. David may be referring directly to the tree planted where the river forked after its exit from the garden and also possibly to the heavenly council. Or, he may refer, at least in the latter case, to an earthly counterpart (e.g., the council of the seventy elders of Israel). I like the way Peter C. W. Ho portrays the journey of the righteous man - which is also our journey. In comparison to the divine resource David had in the Law, our resource is even greater and more divine. Like David, we are in the garden of paradise, yet now we are enabled inwardly by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the communion of the Holy Spirit! And we enjoy, in the church, the body of Christ, and in the eucharist, the earthly counterpart to what we have in heaven, in Christ.
Although I have used Ho’s two key words (ways & outcomes), the outline above is my own. The ABAB typed outline seems to be the best way to convey the entire structure (and I will let the outline serve to explain itself). Note the highlighted text in the outline is intended to show what seems to be a simple ABBA chiastic structure layered within the first half of the outline (vs 1-5). The parallels are clear in the outer terms (yellow highlighting). The inner terms (blue highlight) are less obvious. Yet, once the outer terms are observed, the inner terms become apparent via the little hints in the text. There is a time reference in one set of terms (“day/night” and “season”) and a spacial reference (the man’s desire is located “in” the law vs. the concept of leaves staying “in” the tree - not falling off).
Lastly, note also - the smaller chiastic structure that ties the two halves together and summarizes the main thoughts of Psalm 1 (vs 5-6).
* Ho, Peter C. W. The Design of the MT Psalter: A Macrostructural Analysis (Doctoral thesis submitted to the University of Gloucestershire, 2016) 487.