Psalm 1-5

Complete Jewish Bible

Book I: Psalms 1–41

1 How blessed are those
who reject the advice of the wicked,
don’t stand on the way of sinners
or sit where scoffers sit!
²Their delight
is in Adonai’s Torah;
on his Torah they meditate
day and night.
³They are like trees planted by streams —
they bear their fruit in season,
their leaves never wither,
everything they do succeeds.

⁴Not so the wicked,
who are like chaff driven by the wind.
⁵For this reason the wicked
won’t stand up to the judgment,
nor will sinners
at the gathering of the righteous.
⁶For Adonai watches over
the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked
is doomed.

2 Why are the nations in an uproar,
the peoples grumbling in vain?
²The earth’s kings are taking positions,
leaders conspiring together,
against Adonai
and his anointed.
³They cry, “Let’s break their fetters!
Let’s throw off their chains!”

⁴He who sits in heaven laughs;
Adonai looks at them in derision.
⁵Then in his anger he rebukes them,
terrifies them in his fury.
⁶“I myself have installed my king
on Tziyon, my holy mountain.”

⁷“I will proclaim the decree:
Adonai said to me,
‘You are my son;
today I became your father.
⁸Ask of me, and I will make
the nations your inheritance;
the whole wide world
will be your possession.
⁹You will break them with an iron rod,
shatter them like a clay pot.’”

¹⁰Therefore, kings, be wise;
be warned, you judges of the earth.
¹¹Serve Adonai with fear;
rejoice, but with trembling.
¹²Kiss the son, lest he be angry,
and you perish along the way,
when suddenly his anger blazes.
How blessed are all who take refuge in him.

3 ⁽⁰⁾A psalm of David, when he fled from Avshalom his son:

²⁽¹⁾Adonai, how many enemies I have!
How countless are those attacking me;
³⁽²⁾how countless those who say of me,
“There is no salvation for him in God.” (Selah)

⁴⁽³⁾But you, Adonai, are a shield for me;
you are my glory, you lift my head high.
⁵⁽⁴⁾With my voice I call out to Adonai,
and he answers me from his holy hill. (Selah)

⁶⁽⁵⁾I lie down and sleep, then wake up again,
because Adonai sustains me.
⁷⁽⁶⁾I am not afraid of the tens of thousands
set against me on every side.
⁸⁽⁷⁾Rise up, Adonai!
Save me, my God!
For you slap all my enemies in the face,
you smash the teeth of the wicked.
⁹⁽⁸⁾Victory comes from Adonai;
may your blessing rest on your people. (Selah)

4 ⁽⁰⁾For the leader. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David:

²⁽¹⁾O God, my vindicator!
Answer me when I call!
When I was distressed, you set me free;
now have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

³⁽²⁾Men of rank, how long will you shame my honor,
love what is vain, chase after lies? (Selah)
⁴⁽³⁾Understand that Adonai sets apart
the godly person for himself;
Adonai will hear when I call to him.
⁵⁽⁴⁾You can be angry, but do not sin!
Think about this as you lie in bed,
and calm down. (Selah)
⁶⁽⁵⁾Offer sacrifices rightly,
and put your trust in Adonai.

⁷⁽⁶⁾Many ask, “Who can show us some good?”
Adonai, lift the light of your face over us!
⁸⁽⁷⁾You have filled my heart with more joy
than all their grain and new wine.
⁹⁽⁸⁾I will lie down and sleep in peace;
for, Adonai, you alone make me live securely.

5 ⁽⁰⁾For the leader. On wind instruments. A psalm of David:

²⁽¹⁾Give ear to my words, Adonai,
consider my inmost thoughts.
³⁽²⁾Listen to my cry for help,
my king and my God, for I pray to you.
⁴⁽³⁾Adonai, in the morning you will hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my needs before you
and wait expectantly.

⁵⁽⁴⁾For you are not a God
who takes pleasure in wickedness;
evil cannot remain with you.
⁶⁽⁵⁾Those who brag cannot stand before your eyes,
you hate all who do evil,
⁷⁽⁶⁾you destroy those who tell lies,
Adonai detests men of blood and deceivers.

⁸⁽⁷⁾But I can enter your house
because of your great grace and love;
I will bow down toward your holy temple
in reverence for you.
⁹⁽⁸⁾Lead me, Adonai, in your righteousness
because of those lying in wait for me;
make your way straight before me.
¹⁰⁽⁹⁾For in their mouths there is nothing sincere,
within them are calamities,
their throats are open tombs,
they flatter with their tongues.
¹¹⁽¹⁰⁾God, declare them guilty!
Let them fall through their own intrigues,
For their many crimes, throw them down;
since they have rebelled against you.

¹²⁽¹¹⁾But let all who take refuge in you rejoice,
let them forever shout for joy!
Shelter them; and they will be glad,
those who love your name.
¹³⁽¹²⁾For you, Adonai, bless the righteous;
you surround them with favor like a shield.