BOOK ONE

The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked

1Blessed is the man1:1 The singular Hebrew word for man (ish) is used here to portray a representative example of a godly person; see Preface

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

2but his delight is in the law1:2 Or instruction of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

3He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

4The wicked are not so,

but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,

nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

6for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.