Psalm 1:6
“For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
KJV
Read in Psalm 1Meaning
The conjunction “For” grounds the verdict of verse 5. The LORD’s knowing is more than awareness; in biblical usage it includes recognition, relationship, and care. The righteous way is presented as standing under his approving attention and care; its security is not attributed to the traveler’s self-sufficiency. The second line says the way of the ungodly shall perish. The grammatical subject is the way itself: the image emphasizes that a path already contains a destination. The final verse therefore gathers the whole psalm into two ways under God’s judgment and two outcomes.
The unstable way of the wicked
The closing movement contrasts chaff-like instability, judgment, and the final destinations of the two ways.
Read carefully
The contrast is not between divine information and ignorance. “Knows” expresses approving, relational care for the righteous way, while the opposing way is judged and perishes.
Reflection
Continue in what God knows and approves, using his judgment rather than immediate applause as the final measure.