BOOK ONE

Psalms 1–41

The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

The Lord Helps His Troubled People

A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.

Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.

Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah

There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.

You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?

Arise, O Lord, Do not let man prevail; Let the nations be judged in Your sight.

Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.

Man’s Treachery and God’s Constancy

To the Chief Musician. On an eight-stringed harp. A Psalm of David.

Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.

He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.

With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;

He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man.

Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.

But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people.

Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me.

Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.

Consider my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The Lord is over many waters.

I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.

For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; While they take counsel together against me, They scheme to take away my life.

You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.

No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.