“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
My Notes
What Does Psalms 1:3 Mean?
The psalmist describes the flourishing life of the person who delights in God's law: and he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
He shall be like a tree — the simile compares the blessed person (v.1-2: the one who avoids the wicked and delights in the law) to a tree. Not a wildflower — temporary, fragile, dependent on seasonal rain. A tree — permanent, deep-rooted, enduring. The comparison signals stability: the godly person has the permanence and strength of a deeply rooted tree.
Planted by the rivers of water — planted (shatal — deliberately placed, transplanted with intention). The tree did not grow randomly. It was planted — placed by design beside a water source. The rivers (peleg — channels, irrigation streams) provide constant, reliable water. The tree does not depend on rainfall. It draws from a permanent supply. The planting is God's work — he placed you where the water flows.
That bringeth forth his fruit in his season — the tree produces fruit. Not constantly (in his season — at the appropriate time) but reliably. The fruitfulness follows the water supply: a well-watered tree bears fruit naturally. The season implies patience: fruit comes when it is ready, not when you demand it. The fruitfulness is not forced. It is the natural product of a well-planted, well-watered life.
His leaf also shall not wither — even when the tree is between fruit seasons, the leaf remains green. The vitality is constant — not just during harvest but during the waiting periods. The tree does not look dead between seasons. It looks alive year-round because the root system never loses access to the water.
Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper — prosper (tsalach — to succeed, to advance, to be profitable). The prosperity is comprehensive: whatsoever. Not some things. Everything the planted person undertakes succeeds — not because of personal ability but because of position: the roots reach the water, and the water produces the fruit, and the fruit produces the prosperity.
The contrast with the wicked (v.4) is devastating: the ungodly are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Tree versus chaff. Rooted versus blown. Permanent versus disposable.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does being 'planted by the rivers of water' — deliberately positioned beside a constant supply — describe about the source of spiritual vitality?
- 2.How does 'fruit in his season' teach patience about spiritual productivity — and what do you do between seasons?
- 3.What does the leaf not withering describe about the vitality that persists even when visible fruit is absent?
- 4.Where are your roots — and are they deep enough in God's word to produce the fruitfulness and prosperity this verse describes?
Devotional
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. A tree. Not a bush that comes and goes with the seasons. A tree — deep-rooted, permanent, growing stronger every year. And not a tree in the wilderness, hoping for rain. A tree planted — deliberately positioned, intentionally placed — beside rivers of water. The supply is constant. The roots reach the source. The tree never thirsts.
That bringeth forth his fruit in his season. The tree bears fruit. Not on your schedule. In his season — at the right time, when the fruit is ready. The fruitfulness is not frantic production. It is natural output — the result of roots in water, doing what a well-watered tree does. You do not force the fruit. You stay planted. The fruit comes.
His leaf also shall not wither. Even between harvests — even in the seasons when the fruit is not yet visible — the tree is alive. Green. Vital. Not withering, not drying out, not looking dead while waiting for the next productive season. The water keeps the leaf green when the fruit is not yet in sight.
Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Everything. The prosperity is comprehensive — not because you are talented but because you are planted. The position produces the prosperity. The roots in the water produce the fruit. The fruit produces the success. The sequence starts with the planting, not the effort.
Are you planted? Not just attending church or reading your Bible occasionally. Planted — roots deep, drawing from the rivers of water that God's word provides (v.2: his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law doth he meditate day and night). The tree that prospers is the tree that is planted. And the planting is what turns everything you do into something that bears fruit.
The wicked are chaff (v.4). Blown away by the first wind. No roots. No water. No fruit. No permanence. The contrast is the choice: be a tree or be chaff. The difference is where your roots are.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,.... Or, "for then shall he be", &c. as Alshech renders the…
And he shall be like a tree - A description of the happiness or prosperity of the man who thus avoids the way of…
The psalmist begins with the character and condition of a godly man, that those may first take the comfort of that to…
The consequent prosperity of the godly man is emblematically described. As a tree is nourished by constant supplies of…
Cross References
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