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I. CONTRASTED PICTURES OF LIFE. —

1. That of the happy man illustrated by the law of attraction and repulsion. See the sentiments, habits, and disposition

(i)  of the evil he is led to repel (ver. 1);

(ii)  of the good to which he is attracted (ver. 2). Delighting and meditating upon God's Word.

2. By the law of vegetable life (ver. 3). The happy life of the good, like a fruit tree, is

(i)  one of ceaseless appropriation and transformation,

(ii)  of seasonable fruit bearing,

(iii)  of prosperity under all circumstances.

3. With all this the life of the ungodly is contrasted (vers. 4-6):(i) As shown in the reason of the contrast. The character of the ungodly is self-evolved from their own nature. That of the good, from God.(ii) In the result of the contrast. The ungodly having no solidity, nothing substantial in themselves, are compared to "chaff," which is light and empty and easily carried away. And having no foundation, they cannot "stand in the judgment." And having nothing to support them, must perish while the good shall prosper evermore.

II. LESSONS FROM THESE CONTRASTED PICTURES. —

1. That true happiness is not the result of chance, but of law — fundamental, immutable, Divine. This law may be thus stated: Every effect must have an adequate cause. An uprooted tree cannot bear fruit; so a soul whose faith and love are torn away from God cannot be happy or prosperous. The specific law of spiritual good is this: Character determines destiny.

2. That God has so graciously arranged the conditions of happiness or misery that it is dependent upon each one's personal choice.

(D. C. Hughes, A. M.)

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KJV: For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

WEB: For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.