Psalm 1-4

New International Version

BOOK I

Psalms 1–41

Psalm 1

¹Blessed 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)
²but whose delight^(H) is in the law of the Lord,^(I)
    and who meditates^(J) on his law day and night.
³That 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)

⁴Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff^(Q)
    that the wind blows away.
⁵Therefore the wicked will not stand^(R) in the judgment,^(S)
    nor sinners in the assembly^(T) of the righteous.

⁶For the Lord watches over^(U) the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.^(V)

Psalm 2

¹Why do the nations conspire^[a]
    and the peoples plot^(W) in vain?
²The kings^(X) of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed,^(Y) saying,
³“Let us break their chains^(Z)
    and throw off their shackles.”^(AA)

⁴The One enthroned^(AB) in heaven laughs;^(AC)
    the Lord scoffs at them.
⁵He rebukes them in his anger^(AD)
    and terrifies them in his wrath,^(AE) saying,
⁶“I have installed my king^(AF)
    on Zion,^(AG) my holy mountain.^(AH)”

⁷I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;^(AI)
    today I have become your father.^(AJ)
⁸Ask me,
    and I will make the nations^(AK) your inheritance,^(AL)
    the ends of the earth^(AM) your possession.
⁹You will break them with a rod of iron^[b];^(AN)
    you will dash them to pieces^(AO) like pottery.^(AP)”

¹⁰Therefore, you kings, be wise;^(AQ)
    be warned, you rulers^(AR) of the earth.
¹¹Serve the Lord with fear^(AS)
    and celebrate his rule^(AT) with trembling.^(AU)
¹²Kiss 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.

Psalm 3^[c]

A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.^(AZ)

¹Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
²Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.^(BA)”^[d]

³But you, Lord, are a shield^(BB) around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.^(BC)
⁴I call out to the Lord,^(BD)
and he answers me from his holy mountain.^(BE)

⁵I lie down and sleep;^(BF)
I wake again,^(BG) because the Lord sustains me.
⁶I will not fear^(BH) though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.^(BI)

⁷Arise,^(BJ) Lord!
Deliver me,^(BK) my God!
Strike^(BL) all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth^(BM) of the wicked.

⁸From the Lord comes deliverance.^(BN)
May your blessing^(BO) be on your people.

Psalm 4^[e]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

¹Answer me^(BP) when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;^(BQ)
have mercy^(BR) on me and hear my prayer.^(BS)

²How long will you people turn my glory^(BT) into shame?^(BU)
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods^[f]?^[g]^(BV)
³Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant^(BW) for himself;
the Lord hears^(BX) when I call to him.

⁴Tremble and^[h] do not sin;^(BY)
    when you are on your beds,^(BZ)
    search your hearts and be silent.
⁵Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
    and trust in the Lord.^(CA)

⁶Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.^(CB)
⁷Fill my heart^(CC) with joy^(CD)
when their grain and new wine^(CE) abound.

⁸In peace^(CF) I will lie down and sleep,^(CG)
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.^(CH)

Footnotes

Psalm 2:1 Hebrew; Septuagint rage
Psalm 2:9 Or will rule them with an iron scepter (see Septuagint and Syriac)
Psalm 3:1 In Hebrew texts 3:1-8 is numbered 3:2-9.
Psalm 3:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 4 and 8.
Psalm 4:1 In Hebrew texts 4:1-8 is numbered 4:2-9.
Psalm 4:2 Or seek lies
Psalm 4:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.
Psalm 4:4 Or In your anger (see Septuagint)