But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
But his delight {H2656} is in the law {H8451} of the LORD {H3068}; and in his law {H8451} doth he meditate {H1897} day {H3119} and night {H3915}.
Their delight is in ADONAI's Torah; on his Torah they meditate day and night.
But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.
But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law doth he meditate day and night.
-
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. -
Psalms 119:92
¶ Unless thy law [had been] my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. -
Psalms 119:11
¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. -
Psalms 119:97
¶ MEM. O how love I thy law! it [is] my meditation all the day. -
Psalms 119:99
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies [are] my meditation. -
Romans 7:22
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: -
Jeremiah 15:16
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
Context
Psalms chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the entire book of Psalms, setting forth the two paths of life: that of the righteous and that of the wicked. Verse 1 describes the righteous man negatively, outlining what he avoids—walking, standing, or sitting with the ungodly. Verse 2 then provides the positive characteristic, revealing where his focus and affection truly lie, contrasting him sharply with those described in Psalms 1:1.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "delight" here is chephets (חֵפֶץ), which signifies strong pleasure, desire, or will. It suggests more than mere intellectual assent; it's an emotional and volitional inclination towards God's law. The word for "meditate" is hagah (הָגָה). This term doesn't just mean quiet contemplation; it can also mean to mutter, speak, or ponder aloud. It suggests an active, engaged form of thinking and internalizing, perhaps even softly reciting the words, keeping them ever-present in one's mind, similar to the instruction given in Joshua 1:8.
Commentary and Application
This verse paints a picture of a life centered on God's revealed will. The righteous individual doesn't grudgingly follow rules; they find joy in understanding and living according to God's "law," which encompasses all of His instruction and truth. Their "delight" fuels their consistent "meditation." This meditation isn't just occasional reading, but a deep, thoughtful engagement with scripture that shapes their thinking, desires, and actions throughout the day and night. This constant engagement with God's word is the source of the stability and fruitfulness described in the following verse, where the righteous person is likened to a tree planted by the rivers of water.
For believers today, this verse encourages us to cultivate a genuine love for God's Word. It challenges us to move beyond superficial reading to deep, consistent reflection. Finding delight in scripture transforms study from a chore into a joyful pursuit, leading to a life that is stable, prosperous (in God's terms), and fruitful.