Psalm 1–2

The Ways of the Righteous and the Wicked

1Blessed is the man who does not walk in the advice of the wicked;

nor does he stand in the way of sinners;

nor does he sit in the assembly of mockers.

²Instead, in the law of Yahweh is his delight,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

³And so, he is like a tree planted by streams of water

that gives its fruit in its season;

its leaf also does not wither.

Therefore all that he does prospers.

⁴Not so the wicked.

Instead, they are like the chaff that the wind scatters.

⁵Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

⁶for Yahweh knows the way of the righteous,^a

but the way of the wicked will perish.

The Messiah’s Reign

2Why are nations in tumult,

and countries plotting^a in vain?^b

²The kings of the earth establish themselves,

and the rulers conspire^c together

against Yahweh and his anointed:

³“Let us tear off their bonds,

and cast their cords from us!”

⁴He who sits enthroned in the heavens laughs.

The Lord derides them.

⁵Then he speaks to them in his wrath,

and in his fury he terrifies them:

⁶“But as for me, I have set my king

on Zion, my holy mountain.”

⁷I will tell the decree;

Yahweh said to me:

“You are my son;

today I have begotten you.

⁸Ask from me and I will make the nations your heritage,

and your possession the ends of the earth.

⁹You will break them with an iron rod.

Like a potter’s vessel you will shatter them.”

¹⁰So then, O kings, be wise.

Be warned, O rulers of the earth.

¹¹Serve Yahweh with fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

¹²Kiss the Son

lest he be angry and you perish on the way,

for his anger burns quickly.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.