Psalm 1–2

Book One (Psalms 1–41)

Psalm 1

¹Oh, the joys of those who do not

follow the advice of the wicked,

or stand around with sinners,

or join in with mockers.

²But they delight in the law of the Lord,

meditating on it day and night.

³They are like trees planted along the riverbank,

bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never wither,

and they prosper in all they do.

⁴But not the wicked!

They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

⁵They will be condemned at the time of judgment.

Sinners will have no place among the godly.

⁶For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,

but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 2

¹Why are the nations so angry?

Why do they waste their time with futile plans?

²The kings of the earth prepare for battle;

the rulers plot together

against the Lord

and against his anointed one.

³“Let us break their chains,” they cry,

“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

⁴But the one who rules in heaven laughs.

The Lord scoffs at them.

⁵Then in anger he rebukes them,

terrifying them with his fierce fury.

⁶For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne

in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”

⁷The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:

“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.

Today I have become your Father.

⁸Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,

the whole earth as your possession.

⁹You will break them with an iron rod

and smash them like clay pots.’ ”

¹⁰Now then, you kings, act wisely!

Be warned, you rulers of the earth!

¹¹Serve the Lord with reverent fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

¹²Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry,

and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—

for his anger flares up in an instant.

But what joy for all who take refuge in him!