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.

I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Psalm 9

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David.

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.

Strike them with terror, Lord; let the nations know they are only mortal.

The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.

Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?

But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.