Psalms 1:6 Meaning and Explanation
“For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The road of those who walk with God is a road He Himself watches over and knows by name.
What Does Psalms 1:6 Mean?
This is the closing line of the psalm, drawing both roads together. The whole poem has traced two ways of living, and now it tells us the difference between them. "The LORD knoweth the way of the righteous" means far more than that God is aware of it. To know a way, in this sense, is to watch over it, to care for it, to walk it alongside the traveller. The other road simply runs out. One way is held by God; the other has no one keeping it, and so it perishes.
Jesus called Himself the way, and said His own hear His voice and that He knows them. The being-known of this verse finds its home in Him: a Shepherd who knows His sheep by name and never loses one the Father has given Him. To walk the way of the righteous is not to be perfect; it is to be known by Him, and kept on a road He is watching the whole way through.
Psalms 1:6 in the Original Language
yada (יָדַע), 'knoweth' -- to know intimately and tend, more than awareness: a caring, watchful knowing.
How to Apply Psalms 1:6 Today
The comfort here is that our road is not unwatched. To walk with God is to be known by Him, our way held and tended every step. We do not have to be flawless to be on that road; we have to be His, and in Christ we are known by the One who keeps us to the end.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 1:6
What does Psalms 1:6 mean?
The road of those who walk with God is a road He Himself watches over and knows by name.
How can I apply Psalms 1:6 today?
The comfort here is that our road is not unwatched. To walk with God is to be known by Him, our way held and tended every step. We do not have to be flawless to be on that road; we have to be His, and in Christ we are known by the One who keeps us to the end.