Psalm 1-8

Contemporary English Version

^3 (A) They are like trees
    growing beside a stream,
trees that produce
fruit in season
    and always have leaves.
Those people succeed
    in everything they do.

⁴ That isn't true of those
    who are evil—
they are like straw
    blown by the wind.
⁵ Sinners won't have an excuse
    on the day of judgment,
and they won't have a place
    with the people of God.
⁶ The Lord protects everyone
    who follows him,
but the wicked follow a road
    that leads to ruin.

⁴ In heaven the Lord laughs
as he sits on his throne,
    making fun of the nations.
⁵ The Lord becomes furious
    and threatens them.
His anger terrifies them
    as he says,
⁶ “I've put my king on Zion,
    my sacred hill.”

^7 (C) I will tell the promise
    that the Lord made to me:
“You are my son, because today
    I have become your father.
⁸ Ask me for the nations,
and every nation on earth
    will belong to you.
^9 (D) You will smash them
    with an iron rod
and shatter them
    like dishes of clay.”

¹⁰ Be smart, all you rulers,
    and pay close attention.
¹¹ Serve and honor the Lord;
    be glad and tremble.
¹² Show respect to his son
    because if you don't,
the Lord might become furious
    and suddenly destroy you.^[c]
But he blesses and protects
    everyone who runs to him.

³ But you are my shield,
and you give me victory
    and great honor.
⁴ I pray to you, and you answer
    from your sacred hill.

⁵ I sleep and wake up refreshed
because you, Lord,
    protect me.
⁶ Ten thousand enemies attack
from every side,
    but I am not afraid.

⁷ Come and save me, Lord God!
Break my enemies' jaws
    and shatter their teeth,
⁸ because you protect
    and bless your people.

² How long will you people
    refuse to respect me?^[d]
You love foolish things,
and you run after
    what is worthless.^[e]

³ The Lord has chosen
    everyone who is faithful
to be his very own,^[f]
    and he answers my prayers.
^4 (F) But each of you
had better tremble
    and turn from your sins.
Silently search your heart
    as you lie in bed.
⁵ Offer the proper sacrifices
    and trust the Lord.

⁶ There are some who ask,
    “Who will be good to us?”
Let your kindness, Lord,
    shine brightly on us.
⁷ You brought me more happiness
than a rich harvest
    of grain and grapes.
⁸ I can lie down
    and sleep soundly
because you, Lord,
    will keep me safe.

⁴ You are not the kind of God
who is pleased with evil.
    Sinners can't stay with you.
⁵ No one who boasts can stand
in your presence, Lord,
    and you hate evil people.
⁶ You destroy every liar,
and you despise violence
    and deceit.

⁷ Because of your great mercy,
    I come to your house, Lord,
and I am filled with wonder
as I bow down to worship
    at your holy temple.
⁸ You do what is right,
    and I ask you to guide me.
Make your teaching clear
    because of my enemies.

^9 (G) Nothing they say is true!
    They just want to destroy.
Their words are deceitful
    like a hidden pit,
and their tongues are good
    only for telling lies.
¹⁰ Punish them, God,
and let their own plans
    bring their downfall.
Get rid of them!
They keep committing crimes
    and turning against you.

¹¹ Let all who run to you
for protection
    always sing joyful songs.
Provide shelter for those
who truly love you
    and let them rejoice.
¹² Our Lord, you bless those
    who live right,
and you shield them
    with your kindness.

⁴ Turn and come to my rescue.
Show your wonderful love
    and save me, Lord.
⁵ If I die, I cannot praise you
    or even remember you.
⁶ My groaning has worn me out.
At night my bed and pillow
    are soaked with tears.
⁷ Sorrow has made my eyes dim,
and my sight has failed
    because of my enemies.

^8 (I) You, Lord, heard my crying,
and those hateful people
    had better leave me alone.
⁹ You have answered my prayer
    and my plea for mercy.
¹⁰ My enemies will be ashamed
    and terrified,
as they quickly run away
    in complete disgrace.

³ I am innocent, Lord God!
⁴ I have not betrayed a friend
    or had pity on an enemy^[k]
    who attacks for no reason.
⁵ If I have done any of this,
then let my enemies
    chase and capture me.
Let them trample me to death
    and leave me in the dirt.

⁶ Get angry, Lord God!
    Do something!
Attack my furious enemies.
    See that justice is done.
⁷ Make the nations come to you,
as you sit on your throne^[l]
    above them all.

⁸ Our Lord, judge the nations!
Judge me and show that I
    am honest and innocent.
^9 (J) You know every heart and mind,
    and you always do right.
Now make violent people stop,
but protect all of us
    who obey you.

¹⁰ You, God, are my shield,
the protector of everyone
    whose heart is right.
¹¹ You see that justice is done,
and each day
    you take revenge.
¹² Whenever your enemies refuse
    to change their ways,
you sharpen your sword
    and string your bow.
¹³ Your deadly arrows are ready
    with flaming tips.

¹⁴ An evil person is like a woman
    about to give birth
to a hateful, deceitful,
    and rebellious child.
^15 (K) Such people dig a deep hole,
    then fall in it themselves.
¹⁶ The trouble they cause
    comes back on them,
and their heads are crushed
    by their own evil deeds.

¹⁷ I will praise you, Lord!
    You always do right.
I will sing about you,
    the Lord Most High.

³ I often think of the heavens
    your hands have made,
and of the moon and stars
    you put in place.
^4 (M) Then I ask, “Why do you care
    about us humans?
Why are you concerned
    for us weaklings?”
^5 (N) You made us a little lower
    than you yourself,^[o]
and you have crowned us
    with glory and honor.

^6 (O) You let us rule everything
    your hands have made.
And you put all of it
    under our power—
⁷ the sheep and the cattle,
    and every wild animal,
⁸ the birds in the sky,
the fish in the sea,
    and all ocean creatures.

⁹ Our Lord and Ruler,
your name is wonderful
    everywhere on earth!