Psalm 1:1–4:8

The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly

1 Blessed ais the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the 1ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

bNor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2 But chis delight is in the law of the Lord,

dAnd in His law he 2meditates day and night.

3 He shall be like a tree

ePlanted by the 3rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall fprosper.

4 The ungodly are not so,

But are glike the chaff which the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For hthe Lord knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 2

The Messiah’s Triumph and Kingdom

1 Why ado the 1nations 2rage,

And the people plot a 3vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the brulers take counsel together,

Against the Lord and against His cAnointed, 4saying,

3 “Let dus break Their bonds in pieces

And cast away Their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens eshall laugh;

The Lord shall hold them in derision.

5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,

And distress them in His deep displeasure:

6 “Yet I have 5set My King

6On My holy hill of Zion.”

7 “I will declare the 7decree:

The Lord has said to Me,

f‘You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.

8 Ask of Me, and I will give You

The nations for Your inheritance,

And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

9 gYou shall 8break them with a rod of iron;

You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”

10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;

Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear,

And rejoice with trembling.

12 9Kiss the Son, lest 1He be angry,

And you perish in the way,

When hHis wrath is kindled but a little.

iBlessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Psalm 3

The Lord Helps His Troubled People

A Psalm of David aWhen He Fled from Absalom His Son.

1 Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!

Many are they who rise up against me.

2 Many are they who say of me,

“There is no help for him in God.”

Selah

3 But You, O Lord, are ba shield 1for me,

My glory and cthe One who lifts up my head.

4 I cried to the Lord with my voice,

And dHe heard me from His eholy hill.

Selah

5 fI lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.

6 gI will not be afraid of ten thousands of people

Who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O Lord;

Save me, O my God!

hFor You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;

You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8 iSalvation belongs to the Lord.

Your blessing is upon Your people.

Selah

Psalm 4

The Safety of the Faithful

To the 1Chief Musician. With Stringed Instruments. A Psalm of David.

1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have relieved me in my distress;

2Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

2 How long, O you sons of men,

Will you turn my glory to shame?

How long will you love worthlessness

And seek falsehood?

Selah

3 But know that athe Lord has 3set apart for Himself him who is godly;

The Lord will hear when I call to Him.

4 bBe 4angry, and do not sin.

cMeditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.

Selah

5 Offer dthe sacrifices of righteousness,

And eput your trust in the Lord.

6 There are many who say,

“Who will show us any good?”

fLord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.

7 You have put ggladness in my heart,

More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.

8 hI will both lie down in peace, and sleep;

iFor You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.