“Blessed” is the Man? (Psalm 1:1)

In most English Bible translations, Psalm 1:1 begins like this:

Blessed is the man who...

Here, the English word “blessed” is an adjective which describes “the man”. In other words, “the man” is described as “blessed”. However, this is not really the force of the Hebrew text.

The Hebrew word for “blessed” is ʾăšārîym (אֲשָׁרִים), which is a noun meaning “happiness” or “blessedness”. It not an adjective that describes “the man”. Here, ʾăšārîym is in construct form, which indicates that the “happiness” belongs to “the man”. Hence, a more accurate translation would be:

O the happiness of the man who...!

Therefore, Psalm 1:1 does not describe “the man” as “blessed”. Rather, it expresses wonder at the happiness of the man who is described in the rest of the verse.

Of course, “Blessed is the man” is not a totally mistaken translation, since this man is certainly blessed! However, as much as possible, the force of the original text should be reflected in translation—and the English language is well capable of it!