BOOK I

Psalms 1–41

Psalm 1

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.

Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

Psalm 4

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome.

The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong;

Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Psalm 6

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith. A psalm of David.

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.

My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.

Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping.

All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Psalm 7

A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,

or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe—

Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.

Psalm 8

For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David.

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.

You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.