BOOK I
(Psalms 1–41)

Psalm 1

The Two Ways

How happy is the man
who does not follow[a] the advice of the wicked
or take[b] the path of sinners
or join a group[c] of mockers!(A)
Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction,
and he meditates on it day and night.(B)
He is like a tree planted beside streams of water[d]
that bears its fruit in season[e](C)
and whose leaf does not wither.(D)
Whatever he does prospers.(E)

The wicked are not like this;
instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away.(F)
Therefore the wicked will not survive[f] the judgment,(G)
and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,(H)
but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.(I)

Psalm 2

Coronation of the Son

Why(J) do the nations rebel[g](K)
and the peoples plot in vain?(L)
The kings of the earth take their stand,(M)
and the rulers conspire together
against the Lord and His Anointed One:[h](N)
“Let us tear off their chains
and free ourselves from their restraints.”[i](O)

The One enthroned[j] in heaven laughs;
the Lord ridicules them.(P)
Then He speaks to them in His anger
and terrifies them in His wrath:(Q)
“I have consecrated My King[k]
on Zion, My holy mountain.”(R)

I will declare the Lord’s decree:
He said to Me, “You are My Son;[l]
today I have become Your[m] Father.(S)
Ask of Me,
and I will make the nations Your[n] inheritance
and the ends of the earth Your[o] possession.(T)
You will break[p] them with a rod of iron;
You[q] will shatter them like pottery.”[r](U)

10 So now, kings, be wise;
receive instruction, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with reverential awe
and rejoice with trembling.(V)
12 Pay homage to[s] the Son or He[t] will be angry
and you will perish in your rebellion,[u](W)
for His[v] anger may ignite at any moment.(X)
All those who take refuge in Him[w] are happy.(Y)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 1:1 Lit not walk in
  2. Psalm 1:1 Lit stand in
  3. Psalm 1:1 Or or sit in the seat
  4. Psalm 1:3 Or beside irrigation canals
  5. Psalm 1:3 Lit in its season
  6. Psalm 1:5 Lit stand in
  7. Psalm 2:1 Or conspire, or rage
  8. Psalm 2:2 Or anointed one
  9. Psalm 2:3 Lit and throw their ropes from us
  10. Psalm 2:4 Lit who sits
  11. Psalm 2:6 Or king
  12. Psalm 2:7 Or me, “You are My son
  13. Psalm 2:7 Or your
  14. Psalm 2:8 Or your
  15. Psalm 2:8 Or your
  16. Psalm 2:9 LXX, Syr, Tg read shepherd
  17. Psalm 2:9 Or you
  18. Psalm 2:9 Lit a potter’s vessel
  19. Psalm 2:12 Lit Kiss
  20. Psalm 2:12 Or son, otherwise he
  21. Psalm 2:12 Lit perish way
  22. Psalm 2:12 Or his
  23. Psalm 2:12 Or him

BOOK I

Psalms 1–41

Psalm 1

Blessed 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)
but whose delight(H) is in the law of the Lord,(I)
    and who meditates(J) on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree(K) planted by streams(L) of water,(M)
    which yields its fruit(N) in season
and whose leaf(O) does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.(P)

Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff(Q)
    that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand(R) in the judgment,(S)
    nor sinners in the assembly(T) of the righteous.

For the Lord watches over(U) the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.(V)

Psalm 2

Why do the nations conspire[a]
    and the peoples plot(W) in vain?
The kings(X) of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed,(Y) saying,
“Let us break their chains(Z)
    and throw off their shackles.”(AA)

The One enthroned(AB) in heaven laughs;(AC)
    the Lord scoffs at them.
He rebukes them in his anger(AD)
    and terrifies them in his wrath,(AE) saying,
“I have installed my king(AF)
    on Zion,(AG) my holy mountain.(AH)

I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;(AI)
    today I have become your father.(AJ)
Ask me,
    and I will make the nations(AK) your inheritance,(AL)
    the ends of the earth(AM) your possession.
You will break them with a rod of iron[b];(AN)
    you will dash them to pieces(AO) like pottery.(AP)

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;(AQ)
    be warned, you rulers(AR) of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear(AS)
    and celebrate his rule(AT) with trembling.(AU)
12 Kiss his son,(AV) or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath(AW) can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed(AX) are all who take refuge(AY) in him.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:1 Hebrew; Septuagint rage
  2. Psalm 2:9 Or will rule them with an iron scepter (see Septuagint and Syriac)