Psalms – Chapter 1

According to Catholic teaching, Psalm 1 presents the fundamental choice between the way of righteousness and the way of sin. The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes that meditation on God's law—the Torah—is central to the spiritual life (CIC 2706). In Catholic tradition, this "law" encompasses not only the commandments but the entire revelation of God, fulfilled in Christ.

The Church Fathers, particularly St. Augustine in his commentary on the Psalms, saw the "blessed man" of Psalm 1 as ultimately referring to Christ, the only one who perfectly fulfills the law. Through Baptism and incorporation into Christ's Body, the Church, we share in His righteousness. This is the Catholic understanding of justification—not merely declared righteous, but made righteous through grace.

The image of the tree planted by streams of water is understood in Catholic spirituality as representing the soul nourished by the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Hours, prayed daily by priests and religious, begins with this psalm, reminding us that fruitfulness in the Christian life comes from being rooted in God's Word and sustained by His grace through the Church's sacramental life.