John Calvin Commentary Psalms 1:3

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." — Psalms 1:3 (ASV)

The Psalmist here illustrates and, at the same time, confirms by a metaphor the statement made in the preceding verse; for he shows in what respect those who fear God are to be considered happy, namely, not because they enjoy a fleeting and empty gladness, but because they are in a desirable condition.

There is in the words an implied contrast between the vigor of a tree planted in a well-watered situation and the decayed appearance of one which, although it may flourish beautifully for a time, yet soon withers because of the barrenness of the soil in which it is placed.

With respect to the ungodly, as we will later see (Psalms 37:35), they are sometimes like “the cedars of Lebanon.” They have such an overflowing abundance of wealth and honors that nothing seems lacking for their present happiness. But however high they may be raised, and however far and wide they may spread their branches, yet having no root in the ground, nor even a sufficiency of moisture from which they may derive nourishment, the whole of their beauty eventually disappears and withers away.

It is, therefore, the blessing of God alone that preserves anyone in a prosperous condition.

Those who explain the figure of the faithful bringing forth their fruit in season as meaning that they wisely discern when a thing should be done to be done well, in my opinion, show more acuteness than judgment by attributing a meaning to the words of the prophet that he never intended. He obviously meant nothing more than that the children of God constantly flourish and are always watered with the secret influences of divine grace, so that whatever happens to them contributes to their salvation; while, on the other hand, the ungodly are carried away by the sudden tempest or consumed by the scorching heat.

And when he says, he bringeth forth his fruit in season, he expresses the full maturity of the fruit produced, whereas, although the ungodly may present the appearance of precocious fruitfulness, they nevertheless produce nothing that comes to perfection.