Psalms 1:5

KJV

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore the ungodly {H7563} shall not stand {H6965} in the judgment {H4941}, nor sinners {H2400} in the congregation {H5712} of the righteous {H6662}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For this reason the wicked won't stand up to the judgment, nor will sinners at the gathering of the righteous.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

American Standard Version

Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 1:5 serves as a solemn declaration of divine justice, asserting the ultimate and irreversible separation between the righteous and the ungodly. It pronounces that those who reject God's ways will be unable to endure His righteous judgment and will be eternally excluded from the blessed assembly of His people, thereby reinforcing the foundational contrast established in the opening psalm between two distinct paths of life and their inevitable destinies.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 1 functions as the grand overture to the entire Psalter, meticulously outlining two divergent paths: the blessed life of the righteous and the futile existence of the wicked. The psalm initiates with a vivid depiction of the righteous individual, whose delight is in the law of the Lord, likening them to a tree firmly planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither ([Psalms 1:2-3](/psalms/1-2-3 "Psalms 1:2-3 - The Blessed Man")). In stark contrast, [Psalms 1:4](/psalms/1-4 "Psalms 1:4 - The Ungodly as Chaff") abruptly shifts to portray the ungodly as insubstantial chaff, driven away by the wind, emphasizing their lack of stability, purpose, and enduring substance. Verse 5 directly follows this imagery, serving as the logical and inescapable consequence of the ungodly's transient nature, explicitly detailing their ultimate fate in the face of divine scrutiny.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concept of "judgment" (מִשְׁפָּט, _mishpat_) was deeply embedded in both civil and religious life, often taking place at the city gates where elders and judges would preside. To "stand" in judgment implied being acquitted, vindicated, or able to endure the scrutiny. Conversely, not being able to stand meant condemnation or inability to maintain one's position. The "congregation" (עֲדַת, _‘edah_) referred to the assembly of Israel, particularly in a religious or judicial capacity, such as the assembly at Sinai or the gathering for worship. Exclusion from this assembly was a severe form of punishment, signifying alienation from the community and its blessings. The verse thus draws upon familiar cultural experiences of legal proceedings and communal belonging to convey a profound spiritual truth about divine accountability and eternal fellowship.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to the overarching themes of **Divine Justice and Retribution** prevalent throughout the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to righteousness and His ultimate role as the just judge of all the earth, ensuring that moral order will eventually prevail. The declaration that the ungodly "shall not stand in the judgment" unequivocally communicates the certainty and finality of God's righteous verdict, where no one can escape accountability for their actions, echoing the comprehensive nature of divine assessment seen in passages like [Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Great White Throne Judgment"). Furthermore, the verse highlights the theme of **Separation and Exclusion**, emphasizing an ultimate and irreversible division between those who align with God's will and those who persist in rebellion. The ungodly's exclusion from "the congregation of the righteous" signifies not only a present spiritual alienation but also a future, eternal disinheritance from the blessed fellowship of God's redeemed people, a separation vividly illustrated in [Matthew 25:32-33](/matthew/25-32 "Matthew 25:32-33 - The Separation of the Sheep and the Goats").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ungodly (Hebrew, _rasha'im'_):** This plural noun refers to those who are wicked, guilty, and actively oppose God or live contrary to His revealed will. It denotes a moral state of being characterized by rebellion against divine authority and a persistent pattern of wrongdoing, not merely isolated acts of sin.
* **Stand (Hebrew, _yaqumu'_):** Derived from the verb קוּם (_qum_), meaning "to rise," "to stand up," or "to establish." In a judicial context, as here, it signifies the ability to endure, to prevail, to be acquitted, or to maintain one's position in the face of scrutiny. To "not stand" implies being found wanting, condemned, or unable to withstand the divine examination.
* **Congregation (Hebrew, _'adat'_):** This term refers to an assembly, community, or gathering, often with strong religious or judicial connotations. It can denote the gathered people of Israel (e.g., in the wilderness, for worship) or a more spiritual, ideal assembly of God's faithful. Here, it specifically refers to the holy assembly of those who are right with God, implying a fellowship characterized by divine approval and blessing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment":** This opening clause presents the inevitable consequence for those who choose the path of ungodliness. The "Therefore" (כֵּן, _ken_) links directly to the preceding description of the ungodly as chaff, emphasizing that their instability and lack of substance will render them incapable of enduring God's ultimate scrutiny. "The judgment" refers to God's final, righteous assessment of all humanity, where every life will be weighed against His holy standard. The ungodly, by their very nature and actions, will be found guilty and unable to withstand this divine examination, signifying their condemnation.
* **"nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous":** This second clause functions as a parallel statement, reinforcing and expanding upon the first. "Sinners" (חַטָּאִים, _chatta'im_) are those whose lives are characterized by habitual deviation from God's path, complementing the "ungodly" as those actively rebellious. Their inability to stand "in the congregation of the righteous" signifies their exclusion from the fellowship of God's people, both in the present and, more profoundly, in the eternal assembly of the redeemed. This exclusion is not merely physical but spiritual and relational, indicating a complete separation from the blessed community that enjoys God's presence and favor.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 1:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with clarity and force. **Parallelism** is prominently featured, specifically **synonymous parallelism** between the two clauses: "the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment" and "nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous." Both clauses convey the same core idea of exclusion and condemnation, reinforcing the message through repetition with slightly varied terminology. This also exhibits **antithetical parallelism** when viewed in light of the entire psalm, contrasting the blessedness and stability of the righteous with the instability and ultimate rejection of the wicked. The psalm also utilizes **Metaphor** by implying a judicial setting where one must "stand" or be found wanting, drawing on the familiar imagery of a courtroom to describe a divine reckoning. The "congregation of the righteous" can also be seen as a **metonymy** for the blessed state of fellowship with God and His people, which the ungodly are denied. The overall structure of the psalm, culminating in this verse, is an example of **chiastic structure** (A-B-B'-A') where the blessed man (A) is contrasted with the wicked (B), leading to their respective destinies (B') and the final affirmation of God's knowledge of the righteous's way (A').

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 1:5 profoundly articulates the biblical doctrine of divine justice and the ultimate separation between those who live in accordance with God's will and those who do not. It underscores the truth that God is not indifferent to human conduct; there is an inescapable reckoning for all. This verse establishes a fundamental theological principle: righteousness leads to vindication and eternal fellowship, while ungodliness leads to condemnation and exclusion. It serves as a stark reminder that the choices made in this life have eternal consequences, affirming God's sovereignty as the ultimate Judge who will perfectly discern between the righteous and the wicked, ensuring that His kingdom is populated only by those who genuinely belong to Him.

* [Malachi 3:18](/malachi/3-18 "Malachi 3:18 - Distinguishing the Righteous and the Wicked")
* [Matthew 7:21-23](/matthew/7-21-23 "Matthew 7:21-23 - Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord'")
* [Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11-15 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 1:5 stands as both a solemn warning and a profound source of comfort. For those who persist in a life characterized by ungodliness and rebellion against God's revealed truth, it is a stark and urgent reminder of the inevitable divine judgment that awaits. This judgment is not merely a theoretical concept but a certain reality where every life will be evaluated before the perfectly holy and just God. It compels a serious self-examination and underscores the critical necessity of repentance and a genuine turning to God, embracing His path of righteousness. Conversely, for the righteous, this verse offers immense assurance and deep encouragement. It confirms that their steadfastness in delighting in God's law and walking in His ways will be ultimately vindicated. Their present struggles and the apparent prosperity of the wicked are temporary; in the end, they will inherit a secure and blessed place in God's eternal presence, partaking in the glorious fellowship of His saints. The ultimate destiny of the righteous is secure, while the ungodly face an ultimate, unchangeable exclusion from all that is good and holy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "standing in judgment" challenge my understanding of accountability before God?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to compromise my walk with the righteous, and how can I guard against such influences?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my life consistently aligns with the "way of the righteous" described in Psalms 1?**
* **How does the certainty of divine judgment motivate me to live a life pleasing to God?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that the ungodly "shall not stand in the judgment"?**

Answer: This phrase signifies that the ungodly will be unable to endure or be acquitted in God's final, righteous assessment. It implies that when their lives are weighed against God's perfect standard, they will be found guilty and condemned, lacking the moral and spiritual standing to be vindicated. This is not a human court where one might escape through legal loopholes, but a divine assize where all deeds, motives, and character are laid bare, as described in [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Are Naked Before God"). Their ungodliness, which is a state of active rebellion or disregard for God, disqualifies them from receiving a favorable verdict. It means they will be cast out, unable to participate in the eternal blessedness reserved for the righteous, as is clearly seen in the ultimate separation depicted in [Matthew 25:46](/matthew/25-46 "Matthew 25:46 - Eternal Punishment and Eternal Life").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 1:5, with its stark declaration of the ungodly's inability to stand in judgment or join the righteous assembly, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in Jesus Christ. He is the *only* one who perfectly fulfilled the righteous path described in [Psalms 1:1-3](/psalms/1-1-3 "Psalms 1:1-3 - The Blessed Man"), living a life of absolute obedience and delight in God's law, thereby possessing the perfect "standing" before God that no human could achieve. As the Son of Man, Christ is appointed by the Father to be the ultimate Judge, and it is before His throne that all humanity will one day stand, for "the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son" ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Has Given All Judgment to the Son")). The "congregation of the righteous" is now, by grace, the Church, Christ's body, into which believers are incorporated through faith in Him. Those who are "in Christ" are declared righteous, not by their own merit, but by His perfect righteousness imputed to them, enabling them to "stand" before God without condemnation ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation for Those in Christ")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus takes away the sin that would otherwise prevent sinners from standing, and by His resurrection, He secures their place in the eternal assembly, making them "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" ([Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). Thus, the judgment of Psalms 1:5 is not merely a threat but a promise of vindication for those who are found in Christ, the one true Righteous One.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 5:5

The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

Matthew 25:46

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Malachi 3:18

Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Matthew 25:41

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Luke 21:36

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Matthew 25:32

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats:

Matthew 13:49

So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,