Psalm 1–3

Psalm 1

Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence:

²But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night.

³And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper.

⁴Not so the wicked, not so: but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth.

⁵Therefore the wicked shall not rise again in judgment: nor sinners in the council of the just.

⁶For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: and the way of the wicked shall perish.

Psalm 2

Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things?

²The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.

³Let us break their bonds asunder: and let us cast away their yoke from us.

⁴He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: and the Lord shall deride them.

⁵Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his rage.

⁶But I am appointed king by him over Sion, his holy mountain, preaching his commandment.

⁷The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.

⁸Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.

⁹Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, and shalt break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

¹⁰And now, O ye kings, understand: receive instruction, you that judge the earth.

¹¹Serve ye the Lord with fear: and rejoice unto him with trembling.

¹²Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you perish from the just way.

¹³When his wrath shall be kindled in a short time, blessed are all they that trust in him.

Psalm 3

¹The psalm of David when he fled from the face of his son Absalom. Absalom.

²Why, O Lord, are they multiplied that afflict me? many are they who rise up against me.

³Many say to my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God.

⁴But thou, O Lord, art my protector, my glory, and the lifter up of my head.

⁵I have cried to the Lord with my voice: and he hath heard me from his holy hill.

⁶I have slept and have taken my rest: and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me.

⁷I will not fear thousands of the people surrounding me: arise, O Lord; save me, O my God.

⁸For thou hast struck all them who are my adversaries without cause: thou hast broken the teeth of sinners.

⁹Salvation is of the Lord: and thy blessing is upon thy people.