Psalm 1-2

New American Bible (Revised Edition)

¹ Blessed is the man who does not walk
    in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way^[b] of sinners,
    nor sit in company with scoffers.^(A)
2 Rather, the law of the Lord^[c] is his joy;
    and on his law he meditates day and night.^(B)
3 He is like a tree^(C)
    planted near streams of water,
    that yields its fruit in season;
Its leaves never wither;
    whatever he does prospers.

⁴ But not so are the wicked,^[d] not so!
    They are like chaff driven by the wind.^(D)
5 Therefore the wicked will not arise at the judgment,
    nor will sinners in the assembly of the just.
⁶ Because the Lord knows the way of the just,^(E)
    but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.

¹ Why do the nations protest
    and the peoples conspire in vain?^(F)
2 Kings on earth rise up
    and princes plot together
    against the Lord and against his anointed one:^[f](G)
3 “Let us break their shackles
    and cast off their chains from us!”^(H)
4 The one enthroned in heaven laughs;
    the Lord derides them,^(I)
5 Then he speaks to them in his anger,
    in his wrath he terrifies them:
⁶ “I myself have installed my king
    on Zion, my holy mountain.”
⁷ I will proclaim the decree of the Lord,
    he said to me, “You are my son;
    today I have begotten you.^(J)
8 Ask it of me,
    and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
    and, as your possession, the ends of the earth.
⁹ With an iron rod you will shepherd them,
    like a potter’s vessel you will shatter them.”^(K)
10 And now, kings, give heed;
    take warning, judges on earth.
¹¹ Serve the Lord with fear;
    exult with trembling,
Accept correction
    lest he become angry and you perish along the way
    when his anger suddenly blazes up.^(L)
Blessed are all who take refuge in him!