Psalms — Chapter 1

BEATUS VIR QUI NON ABIIT IN CONSILIO IMPIORUM. Lapide: The psalm opens with a beatitude — the only proper beginning for a book of sacred songs. Literally this refers to David himself, who stood apart from the counsels of Abimelech, Achitophel, and the impious. Allegorically it refers above all to Christ, the perfectly Blessed Man, who never consented to sin even by the shadow of temptation. Tropologically it belongs to every just Christian. Note the triple descent: council (consilium) → way (via) → seat (cathedra). One first takes the wicked man's counsel, then walks in his way, then finally sits enthroned in pestilence as a teacher of evil. Lapide: "Non abiit... non stetit... non sedit" — three negatives marking a triple refusal. The godly man refuses even the first step.