Verse
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Psalm 1:6

ESV for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
NIV For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
NASB For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.
CSB For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
NLT For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
KJV For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

What does Psalm 1:6 mean?

This verse contrasts two ways: the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. Neither way escapes God's all-seeing eye (Hebrews 4:13). The word "way," in this context, represents lifestyle. The righteous pursue a lifestyle of meditating upon God's Word and obeying it. Consequently, they produce spiritual fruit (Psalm 1:1–3). The wicked pursue a lifestyle in which evil passions control them. Consequently, they are spiritually unproductive and their lifestyle is worthless—it adds nothing of value—in God's sight (Psalm 1:4).

God knows who is righteous and who is unrighteous. He rewards the righteous but punishes the wicked. He examines the heart, so no hypocrite can fool Him. Jesus related the story of a tax collector and a Pharisee who prayed in the temple. The publican acknowledged his sin and asked for forgiveness. The Pharisee hypocritically boasted to God about his so-called good deeds, but he did not fool God. Jesus concluded that only the tax collector returned home justified—brought into a right relationship with God (Luke 18:9–14).
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