Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 1:5

"Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous." — Psalms 1:5 (ASV)

Therefore – Because they are so worthless.

The ungodly – See the notes at Psalm 1:1. The wicked in general; the wicked of any kind or degree.

Shall not stand – Compare the notes at Psalm 1:1. The idea is that they will not be found among those who are acquitted by the Judge and approved by him. The idea seems to be derived from the act of standing up to be tried or to receive a sentence.

In the judgment – The Aramaic Paraphrase renders this, “in the great day” – understanding it as the day of judgment. The Septuagint and Vulgate render it, “the wicked shall not rise – ἀναστήσονται – anastēsontai – resurgent – in judgment.” Most Jewish interpreters, following the Aramaic Paraphrase, understand this as referring to the last judgment (Rosenmuller, in loc.).

The truth stated, however, seems to be more general than that, though that is probably included. The meaning is that they would not share the lot of the righteous: in all places and at all times where character is determined, and where the divine estimate of human character is manifested, it would be found that they could not stand the trial or endure the result, so as to have a place with the righteous.

Their true character would in all such cases be shown, and they would be treated like the chaff that is driven away. This would be true both in those situations of trial in the present life when character is determined and at the last judgment, when the sentence will be pronounced which will determine the final doom of mankind.

Nor sinners – See the notes at Psalm 1:1.

In the congregation of the righteous – To be reckoned or regarded as belonging to the righteous. That is, in all the places where the righteous, as such, are assembled, they will have no place: where they assemble to worship God; where they meet as his friends; where they unitedly participate in his favor; when, in the last day, they shall be gathered together to receive their reward; and when they shall be assembled together in heaven. The sinner has no place in the congregations of the people of God.