The Man Is Ever Blest
The man is ever blest
The Man Is Ever Blest is a hymn text by Nikolai Grundtvig (1837) in 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Translated by Gracia Grindal. Found in lsb 705, lw 388, tlh 414.
The hymn reflects Lutheran confidence in the blessedness of those who meditate on God's Word and live according to it, emphasizing sanctification through Scripture. It expresses the Grundtvigian vision of vital Christian faith rooted in biblical knowledge and obedience.
History & Background
Grundtvig wrote this hymn based on Psalm 1 in 1837 as part of his prolific Danish hymnwriting output. The English translation by Gracia Grindal appeared in Lutheran hymnals in the late 20th century.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Service Book — 705
- Lutheran Worship — 388
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 414
Translation
Bulletin Note
Penned by Nikolai Grundtvig (1783–1872), Denmark's prophetic pastor-poet, this hymn embodies his vision of living, biblical faith. Grundtvig believed the Church's strength lay in vital engagement with Scripture, not institutional power alone.
Preaching Connection
This hymn develops the sanctifying power of God's Word as the concrete means by which the Gospel transforms daily life, deepening any sermon on Psalm 1 or the fruit of faith expressed through obedience.
Overview
Isaac Watts' metrical version of Psalm 1 from The Psalms of David Imitated (1719). It contrasts two ways: the blessed man who shuns the counsel of the wicked (st. 1) and delights in God's Law day and night (st. 2), flourishing like a watered tree (st. 3); and the ungodly, blown away like chaff (st. 4), unable to stand at the judgment (st. 5), whose way perishes while the Lord knows the way of the righteous (st. 6). Watts adds explicitly Christian elements: 'heavenly fruit,' 'Christ's right hand,' the 'judgment-seat.' Read evangelically, the perfectly blessed man is Christ, and believers are righteous in him.
Central theme: The two ways of Psalm 1 — the blessedness of the righteous who delight in God's Word and the ruin of the ungodly
Structure
Six short-meter quatrains following Ps 1:1-6: blessed man (1-3) — ungodly (4-5) — two ways (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law in the warning to the ungodly (4-6). The 'blessed man' is a picture of the righteous by faith; the 'Law of God' he delights in is the whole Word (Torah), including the Gospel.
Confessional Connections
The regenerate delight in God's Law (Rom 7:22; FC VI, third use). 'Heavenly fruit' — good works as fruits of faith (AC VI). Righteousness is by faith in Christ, the truly blessed Man (Ap IV). Final judgment (AC XVII).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
General; Bible Sunday; Trinity season; catechesis on Psalms.
Historical Notes
Watts (1674-1748) 'Christianized' the Psalms in his 1719 collection.
About the Tune
ST. MICHAEL (Genevan Psalter, 1551, adapted).
Scripture References
Ps 1 Ps 119:97 Jer 17:7-8 John 15:5 Gal 5:22 Matt 3:12 2 Cor 5:10 Matt 25:31-34 2 Tim 2:19 John 10:14 Matt 7:13-14
Stanza by Stanza
The man is always blessed who avoids the ways of sinners, never stands among their counsels, and does not sit in the scorners' place.
Ps 1:1. The progression — walk, stand, sit — shows how sin draws one deeper. The 'blessed man' of Ps 1 was read by the Church Fathers as Christ himself, the only one who fully embodies it; believers share his blessedness by faith.
- Scripture
- Ps 1:1, Prov 4:14-15, 1 Cor 15:33
- Imagery & language
- Walking, standing, sitting.
- Law / Gospel
- Law and Gospel — the way of the righteous.
- Connection to previous
- Ps 1:1.
But makes God's Law his study and delight amid the day's labors and the watches of the night.
Ps 1:2. 'Law' (Torah) means God's whole instruction — Law and promise. For the believer it is 'delight' (Ps 119:97; Rom 7:22), not burden: the regenerate love God's will (FC VI). Meditation 'day and night' — constant hearing of the Word.
- Scripture
- Ps 1:2, Ps 119:97, Rom 7:22, Josh 1:8
- Imagery & language
- Study; delight; day and night.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — delight in God's Word.
- Connection to previous
- Ps 1:2.
He will thrive like a tree with water near its roots; his name will live fresh as the leaf; his works are heavenly fruit.
Ps 1:3; Jer 17:7-8. The roots drink from the water — the Word and Spirit. 'His works are heavenly fruit' — good works grow from faith as fruit from a tree (Matt 7:17; John 15:5; Gal 5:22; AC VI).
- Scripture
- Ps 1:3, Jer 17:7-8, Matt 7:17, John 15:5, Gal 5:22
- Imagery & language
- Tree; water; fruit.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — fruitfulness from the Word.
- Connection to previous
- Ps 1:3.
The ungodly are not like this; they find no such blessings; their hopes will fly away like empty chaff before the driving wind.
Ps 1:4. Chaff — weightless, rootless, driven away (Matt 3:12). The Law's verdict on life apart from God.
- Scripture
- Ps 1:4, Matt 3:12, Job 21:18
- Imagery & language
- Chaff; wind.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — emptiness of the ungodly.
- Connection to previous
- Ps 1:4.
How will they bear to stand before the judgment seat, where all the saints meet in full assembly at Christ's right hand?
Ps 1:5, Christianized: 'that judgment-seat' (2 Cor 5:10) where 'all the saints at Christ's right hand' gather (Matt 25:31-34). The ungodly cannot 'stand' (Ps 130:3) — only those clothed in Christ's righteousness can.
- Scripture
- Ps 1:5, 2 Cor 5:10, Matt 25:31-34, Rev 6:17
- Imagery & language
- Judgment seat; right hand.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — judgment.
- Connection to previous
- Ps 1:5.
He knows and approves the way the righteous go; but sinners and their works will meet a dreadful flood.
Ps 1:6: 'the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.' God's 'knowing' is loving recognition (2 Tim 2:19; John 10:14). 'Dreadful overflow' — a flood of judgment (Gen 6-7; 2 Pet 3:6-7).
- Scripture
- Ps 1:6, 2 Tim 2:19, John 10:14, 2 Pet 3:6-7
- Imagery & language
- Knowing; overflow.
- Law / Gospel
- Law and Gospel — the two ends.
- Connection to previous
- Ps 1:6.
Themes
Blessedness of the righteous Scripture meditation Discipleship Living by God's Word