Psalm 1–2

BOOK I

Psalms 1–41

Psalm 1

¹Blessed is the one^a

who does not walk^b in step with the wicked^c

or stand in the way^d that sinners take^e

or sit^f in the company of mockers,^g

²but whose delight^h is in the law of the Lord,ⁱ

and who meditates^j on his law day and night.

³That person is like a tree^k planted by streams^l of water,^m

which yields its fruitⁿ in season

and whose leaf^o does not wither—

whatever they do prospers.^p

⁴Not so the wicked!

They are like chaff^q

that the wind blows away.

⁵Therefore the wicked will not stand^r in the judgment,^s

nor sinners in the assembly^t of the righteous.

⁶For the Lord watches over^u the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.^v

Psalm 2

¹Why do the nations conspire^a

and the peoples plot^w in vain?

²The kings^x of the earth rise up

and the rulers band together

against the Lord and against his anointed,^y saying,

³“Let us break their chains^z

and throw off their shackles.”^a

⁴The One enthroned^b in heaven laughs;^c

the Lord scoffs at them.

⁵He rebukes them in his anger^d

and terrifies them in his wrath,^e saying,

⁶“I have installed my king^f

on Zion,^g my holy mountain.^h”

⁷I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;ⁱ

today I have become your father.^j

⁸Ask me,

and I will make the nations^k your inheritance,^l

the ends of the earth^m your possession.

⁹You will break them with a rod of iron^b;ⁿ

you will dash them to pieces^o like pottery.^p”

¹⁰Therefore, you kings, be wise;^q

be warned, you rulers^r of the earth.

¹¹Serve the Lord with fear^s

and celebrate his rule^t with trembling.^u

¹²Kiss his son,^v or he will be angry

and your way will lead to your destruction,

for his wrath^w can flare up in a moment.

Blessed^x are all who take refuge^y in him.