BOOK ONE

The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.

¹Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example],[#1:1 This has been called “The Preface Psalm” because in some respects it introduces the complete book of Psalms as a godly message. It opens with a benediction, “Blessed,” as does the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:3).]

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers).

²But his delight is in the law of the Lord ,

And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night. [Rom 13:8-10; Gal 3:1-29; 2 Tim 3:16]

³And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season;

Its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity]. [Jer 17:7, 8]

⁴¶The wicked [those who live in disobedience to God’s law] are not so,

But they are like the chaff [worthless and without substance] which the wind blows away.

⁵Therefore the wicked will not stand [unpunished] in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

⁶For the Lord knows and fully approves the way of the righteous,

But the way of the wicked shall perish.