The [a]Psalms of David

Whether it was Esdras, or any other that gathered the Psalms into a book, it seemeth he did set this Psalm first in manner of a preface, to exhort all godly men to study and meditate the heavenly wisdom.  For the effect hereof is,  1 That they be blessed which give themselves wholly all their life to the holy Scriptures; 4 and that the wicked contemners of God, though they seem for a while happy, yet at length shall come to miserable destruction.

Blessed is the man that doth not walk in the [b]counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the (A)law of the Lord, and in his [c]law doth he meditate day and night.

For he shall be like a (B)tree planted by the rivers of waters, that will bring forth her fruits in due season: whose leaf shall not fade: so [d]whatsoever he shall do, shall prosper.

[e]The wicked are not so, but as the chaff, which the wind driveth away.

Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the [f]judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the Lord [g]knoweth the way of the righteous, and the way of the wicked shall perish.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 1:1 Or, praises, according to the Hebrews: and were chiefly instituted to praise and give thanks to God for his benefits. They are called the Psalms or Songs of David, because the most part were made by him.
  2. Psalm 1:1 When a man hath given once place to evil counsel, or to his own concupiscence, he beginneth to forget himself in his sin, and so falleth into contempt of God, which contempt is called the seat of the scorners.
  3. Psalm 1:2 In the holy Scriptures.
  4. Psalm 1:3 God’s children are so moistened ever with his grace, that whatsoever cometh unto them, tendeth unto their salvation.
  5. Psalm 1:4 Though the wicked seem to bear the swinge in this world, yet the Lord driveth them down that they shall not rise nor stand in the company of the righteous.
  6. Psalm 1:5 But tremble when they feel God’s wrath.
  7. Psalm 1:6 Doth approve and prosper, like as not to know, is to reprove and reject.

BOOK ONE

(Psalms 1–41)

Psalm 1

Blessed is the person who does not
    follow the advice of wicked people,
        take the path of sinners,
            or join the company of mockers.
Rather, he delights in the teachings of Yahweh
    and reflects on his teachings day and night.
He is like a tree planted beside streams—
    a tree that produces fruit in season
        and whose leaves do not wither.
    He succeeds in everything he does.[a]

Wicked people are not like that.
    Instead, they are like husks that the wind blows away.
That is why wicked people will not be able to stand in the judgment
    and sinners will not be able to stand where righteous people gather.

Yahweh knows the way of righteous people,
    but the way of wicked people will end.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 1:3 Or “and its leaves do not wither, and whatever it produces thrives.”

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)

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.