A. Here are some figures of speech used in this first verse of Psalm 1.
1. I already made reference to the apparent degregation of the action in the first verse... it goes from walk to stand to sitting. An argument has also been made by some (EW Bullinger in his book "Figures of Speech used in the Bible" pg 429) that this form of Anabasis (aka. Gradual Ascent) is also used in the character of the evil people described. Here is what he wrote, "The first are impious, as to their mind. The second are sinners, who not only think, but carry out the workings of their evil minds. The third are scorners, glorying in their wickedness and scoffing at righteousness."
2. Enantiosis (aka. Contraries) Enantiosis is similiar to antithesis, where two thoughts are placed in contrast to each other in order to make the contrast more striking and to emphasize it. Enantiosis is used when negative and affirmations are used in contrast. In this case the negative in verse one is used in contrast to the affirmation in verse two.. to further instruct us how to live a righteous men and women.
B. I am taking the prefixed preposition בְ in the locative sense meaning in/on.
C. The nouns that are in construct do not have definite articles prefixed to them in any part of the construct chains. I listened to my friend Marty talk about this in the Hebrew class that he taught (second term class 2 part 1 located here for download). His discussion interested me so much I had to stop the class and look up the use of definite articles in construct chains in Waltke and Oconnor's book "Biblical Hebrew Syntax". They noted that in poetic writtings the definite article does not appear at times when it is expected... and grammatically should appear. I am guessing that is what is happening here.
Applications
1. I want the blessing of the Lord.
2. Bad company corrupts good morals. Be careful who and what I allow to be in the sphere of where I walk, stand and sit (both literally and figuratively). When I can't avoid being in the presence of evil men, scoffers, etc... make sure i am not allowing them to be my influence.
3. Moral degradation is a path.. a slippery slope. Once you start down it, it leads further down.
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