Psalm 1

BOOK ONE (Psalms 1–41)Psalm 1

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.2 But they delight in the law of the LORD,
meditating on it day and night.3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.6 For the LORD watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

PSALMS 1

BOOK I

(Psalms 1–41)

The Way to Happiness

1 God blesses those people
who refuse evil advice
and won't follow sinners
or join in sneering at God.

2 Instead, they find happiness
in the Teaching of the [Lord],
and they think about it
day and night.

3  t 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.