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)

17 This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer,(A) the Holy One(B) of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
    who teaches(C) you what is best for you,
    who directs(D) you in the way(E) you should go.
18 If only you had paid attention(F) to my commands,
    your peace(G) would have been like a river,(H)
    your well-being(I) like the waves of the sea.
19 Your descendants(J) would have been like the sand,(K)
    your children like its numberless grains;(L)
their name would never be blotted out(M)
    nor destroyed from before me.”

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16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
    and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
    and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating(A) nor drinking,(B) and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’(C) But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

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