Chiastic Structure of Psalm 1

Chiasm is a literary structure that repeats ideas in a passage in reverse order. In the example below outlined by Alec Motyer, you have three ideas (in bold), A, B, C and those ideas are repeated in reverse order, C, B, A. Scripture is full of chiasm and it is helpful to recognize to understand and grasp the meaning of the text.

A.1. EARTHLY DISTINCTIVENESS: DIVINE FAVOR

 Psalms 1:1-6  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 

B.1. CONTINUANCE: DELIGHT IN GOD'S LAW

(2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

C.1. SECURITY: THE FLOURISHING TREE

(3)  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 

C.2. INSECURITY: THE WIND-BLOWN CHAFF

4)  The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

B.2. NO CONTINUANCE: DIVINE JUDGMENT

(5)  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 

A.2. ETERNAL DISTINCTION AND ITS EXPLANATION

(6)  For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.