Psalm 1–2

Psalm 1

¹Blessed is the person who does not 

follow the advice of wicked people, 

take the path of sinners, 

or join the company of mockers. 

²Rather, he delights in the teachings of the Lord 

and reflects on his teachings day and night. 

³He is like a tree planted beside streams— 

a tree that produces fruit in season 

and whose leaves do not wither. 

He succeeds in everything he does.^a

⁴Wicked people are not like that. 

Instead, they are like husks that the wind blows away. 

⁵That is why wicked people will not be able to stand in the judgment 

and sinners will not be able to stand where righteous people gather. 

⁶The Lord knows the way of righteous people, 

but the way of wicked people will end. 

Psalm 2

¹Why do the nations gather together? 

Why do their people devise useless plots? 

²Kings take their stands. 

Rulers make plans together 

against the Lord and against his Messiah^aby saying, 

³“Let’s break apart their chains 

and shake off their ropes.” 

⁴The one enthroned in heaven laughs. 

The Lord makes fun of them. 

⁵Then he speaks to them in his anger. 

In his burning anger he terrifies them by saying, 

⁶“I have installed my own king on Zion, my holy mountain.” 

⁷I will announce the Lord’s decree. 

He said to me: 

“You are my Son. 

Today I have become your Father. 

⁸Ask me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance 

and the ends of the earth as your own possession. 

⁹You will break them with an iron scepter. 

You will smash them to pieces like pottery.” 

¹⁰Now, you kings, act wisely. 

Be warned, you rulers of the earth! 

¹¹Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 

¹²Kiss the Son, or he will become angry 

and you will die on your way 

because his anger will burst into flames. 

Blessed is everyone who takes refuge in him.