Book 1

(Psalms 1—41)

The way to happiness

1God blesses those people

who refuse evil advice

and won't follow sinners

or join in sneering at God.

2Instead, the Law of the LORD

makes them happy,

and they think about it

day and night.

3They are like trees1.3: Jr 17.8.

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,

because 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.