BOOK 1

PSALM 1

The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.

1How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

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

And in His law he meditates day and night.

3He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers.

4The wicked are not so,

But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.

5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the wicked will perish.

PSALM 2

The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed.

1Why are the nations in an uproar

And the peoples devising a vain thing?

2The kings of the earth take their stand

And the rulers take counsel together

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

3“Let us tear their fetters apart

And cast away their cords from us!”

4He who sits in the heavens laughs,

The Lord scoffs at them.

5Then He will speak to them in His anger

And terrify them in His fury, saying,

6“But as for Me, I have installed My King

Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7“I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:

He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.

8Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,

And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.

9You shall break them with a rod of iron,

You shall shatter them like earthenware.’ ”

10Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;

Take warning, O judges of the earth.

11Worship the Lord with reverence

And rejoice with trembling.

12Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,

For His wrath may soon be kindled.

How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

PSALM 3

Morning Prayer of Trust in God.

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

1O Lord, how my adversaries have increased!

Many are rising up against me.

2Many are saying of my soul,

“There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah.

3But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,

My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

4I was crying to the Lord with my voice,

And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.

5I lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.

6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people

Who have set themselves against me round about.

7Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!

For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek;

You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.

8Salvation belongs to the Lord;

Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.

PSALM 4

Evening Prayer of Trust in God.

For the choir director; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

1Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have relieved me in my distress;

Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

2O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach?

How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah.

3But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself;

The Lord hears when I call to Him.

4Tremble, and do not sin;

Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

And trust in the Lord.

6Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?”

Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord!

7You have put gladness in my heart,

More than when their grain and new wine abound.

8In peace I will both lie down and sleep,

For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.