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,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 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.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalms 1
Psalm 1
O the joys of those who do not
Follow evil men’s advice,
Keeping company with sinners,
Joining them at any price.
Their delight is in Jehovah;
Day and night they read His word:
‘Tis their joy to follow closely
All the precepts of the Lord.
Like the trees that grow and flourish
Planted by the water course –
They are rooted, ever strengthened
By God’s word, their secret source.
Bearing fruit, though all around them
Wither in the barren soil,
They draw up the hidden moisture
Without fret and without toil.
They stay green and fresh forever,
Caring not what comes their way;
People round them fade and wither,
Wilting in the evil day.
But for sinners who have nothing
To sustain them in the drought,
Just like chaff in blust’ry weather,
Blown away by fear and doubt,
On the fearful day of judgment,
When they’re called before the throne,
They won’t stand among the godly:
They will not be called His own.
Righteous ones will stand before Him;
Those who choose to walk His path:
Godless men cast out forever,
Left to face God’s fiery wrath.