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BOOK I

(Psalms 1–41)

The Way to Happiness

God blesses those people
    who refuse evil advice
    and won't follow sinners
    or join in sneering at God.
Instead, they find happiness
    in the Teaching of the Lord,
and they think about it
    day and night.

(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.

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

(A psalm by David for the music leader.)

A Prayer for the Lord's Help

How much longer, Lord,
    will you forget about me?
Will it be forever?
    How long will you hide?
How long must I be confused
    and miserable all day?
How long will my enemies
    keep beating me down?

Please listen, Lord God,
    and answer my prayers.
Make my eyes sparkle again,
or else I will fall
    into the sleep of death.
My enemies will say,
    “Now we've won!”
They will be greatly pleased
    when I am defeated.

I trust your love,
and I feel like celebrating
    because you rescued me.
You have been good to me, Lord,
    and I will sing about you.

(A psalm by David for the music leader.)

No One Can Ignore the Lord

(A) Only a fool would say,
    “There is no God!”
People like that are worthless;
they are heartless and cruel
    and never do right.

From heaven the Lord
    looks down to see
if anyone is wise enough
    to search for him.
But all of them are corrupt;
    no one does right.

Won't you evil people learn?
    You refuse to pray,
and you gobble up
    the Lord's people.
But you will be frightened,
because God is on the side
    of every good person.
You may spoil the plans
of the poor,
    but the Lord protects them.

I long for someone from Zion
    to come and save Israel!
Our Lord, when you bless
    your people again,
Jacob's family will be glad,
    and Israel will celebrate.

(A psalm by David.)

Who May Worship the Lord?

Who may stay in God's temple
or live on the holy mountain
    of the Lord?

Only those who obey God
    and do as they should.
They speak the truth
    and don't spread gossip;
they treat others fairly
    and don't say cruel things.

They hate worthless people,
but show respect for all
    who worship the Lord.
And they keep their promises,
    no matter what the cost.
They lend their money
    without charging interest,
and they don't take bribes
    to hurt the innocent.

Those who do these things
    will always stand firm.

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