Psalms, chapter 1

Book I (Psalms 1.1—41.13)

In this section

Psalms 1 and 2 serve as an introduction to Psalms. Most of the psalms in this first “book” name David as author. There are prayers that thank and praise the Lord and prayers asking for the Lord's help, protection, and forgiveness.

salm 1

The Way to Happiness

1God blesses those people who refuse evil advice

and won't follow sinners

or join in sneering at God.

2Instead, they find happiness in the Teaching of the Lord,

and they think about it day and night.

3They are like trees growing beside a stream,

trees that produce fruit in season

and always have leaves.

Those people succeed in everything they do.

4That isn't true of those who are evil—

they are like straw blown by the wind.

5Sinners won't have an excuse on the day of judgment,

and they won't have a place with the people of God.

6The Lord protects everyone who follows him,

but the wicked follow a road that leads to ruin.