Commentary for Psalms 1:3

planted Heb. שתול, plonte in Old French (plante).

And he shall be like a tree: – He compares the good man to a tree planted over the streams of water: and says that the man who departs from evil and does good, lo ! he is as a tree planted upon streams of water which is continually satisfied; so he rejoices continually in his portion whether he have little to eat or much. And the interpretation of streams of water (is) that there is a stream of water on this side and a stream of water on that side, and they will be passing under it and it will be always over them.

rivulets ruyseys in Old French, (ruisseaux), brooks (as in Ezek. 32:6).

That bringeth forth its fruit in its season: – for the tree that is in a thirsty spot and that longs for rain does not bring forth its fruit in its season so long as the necessary rain does not descend, but is late and backward in putting forth its fruit because of its parched condition; but the tree that is planted upon the streams of water brings forth its fruit in its season.

and its leaves do not wilt Even the inferior part of it serves a purpose. The conversation of Torah scholars is essential and requires study.

His leaf also shall not wither: – for the leaf withers from dryness, but in the case of this (that is planted) over the streams of water - its leaf does not wither. And (the phrase) in its season, which he has mentioned already, is to be supplied here, as if he said: its leaf shall not wither in its season; and this is the hot season when the children of men need its shade. Notice that the children of men who are crossing backwards and forwards find in it (a source of) refreshment, and rest beneath it for the shade of its leaves, and drink from the water under it, and eat of its fruit, for in the rainy season the leaves fall from most of the trees. Or it may be (taken) hyperbolically; for even in the rainy season its leaf does not fall, as is the case with some trees, from the nature of the large amount of sap in them. And as it says, "its leaf shall not wither nor fail" (Ezek. 47:12); it says also, "And the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for healing" (ibid.), so from the good man the children of men get his fruit and his instruction, and it is from him they learn his Law (religion) and his good works. Whose leaf also shall not wither, for they will take refuge in the shadow of his good ways. Our teachers have expounded (Babli, Abodah Zarah 19b) bringeth forth in its season (as meaning) that he teaches when he has attained the right to teach and not before his time; but when he has attained his time he does not hold back from the office. And the interpretation of in its season (is) in the time for learning, learning, and in the time for work, work. And further our teachers of blessed memory have interpreted (ibid. with a slight change) whose leaf also shall not wither (as meaning) that even the conversation of the wise must be studied, as though to say that even from their ordinary conversation a man can learn instruction (in the affairs of) the world and (proper) human conduct (in intercourse) one with another.

do not wilt Heb. יבול, an expression of wilting, fleistre in Old French.

And whatsoever he produceth shall propser: – If a cutting is taken from this tree it flourishes and become like it; so also in the case of the good man, his children and his descendants shall be like him. And our teachers (ibid.) have interpreted thus: and whatsoever he produceth (doeth) shall propser - if he "busies himself with Torah (study) his worldly affairs shall prosper." It is possible also to interpret this verse by way of blessing and peace and good reward; for if he departs from the evil way and does good his recompense will be that he shall be like a tree planted upon the streams of water. The learned Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra of blessed memory has interpreted (thus): his fruit is the wise soul which shall be full of Torah and divine wisdom, so as to recognise her Creator and His works which abide forever; and will cleave to the world above on her separation from the body, like the fruit which when it ripens on the tree separates itself from and has no further need of it; for the tree exists for the sake of the fruit. Whose leaf also shall not wither - i.e. his good memorial, in accordance with (the text) "the memory of the just is blessed" (Prov. 10:7). And whatsoever he getteth shall prosper - i.e. wealth, children, and honour.