Psalms

Book 1 (Psalms 1-41) Psalm 1 1:1 How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers! 1:2 Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the LORD’s commands; he meditates on his commands day and night. 1:3 He is like a tree planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off. He succeeds in everything he attempts. 1:4 Not so with the wicked! Instead they are like wind-driven chaff. 1:5 For this reason the wicked cannot withstand judgment, nor can sinners join the assembly of the godly. 1:6 Certainly the LORD guards the way of the godly, but the way of the wicked ends in destruction.

Psalm 2 2:1 Why do the nations rebel? Why are the countries devising plots that will fail? 2:2 The kings of the earth form a united front; the rulers collaborate against the LORD and his anointed king. 2:3 They say, “Let’s tear off the shackles they’ve put on us! Let’s free ourselves from their ropes!” 2:4 The one enthroned in heaven laughs in disgust; the Lord taunts them. 2:5 Then he angrily speaks to them and terrifies them in his rage, saying, 2:6 “I myself have installed my king on Zion, my holy hill.” 2:7 The king says, “I will announce the LORD’s decree. He said to me: ‘You are my son! This very day I have become your father! 2:8 Ask me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth as your personal property. 2:9 You

Psalm 3 A psalm of David, written when he fled from his son Absalom. 3:1 LORD, how numerous are my enemies! Many attack me. 3:2 Many say about me, “God will not deliver him.” (Selah) 3:3 But you, LORD, are a shield that protects me; you are my glory and the one who restores me. 3:4 To the LORD I cried out, and he answered me from his holy hill. (Selah) 3:5 I rested and slept; I awoke, for the LORD protects me. 3:6 I am not afraid of the multitude of people who attack me from all directions. 3:7 Rise up, LORD! Deliver me, my God! Yes, you will strike all my enemies on the jaw; you will break the teeth of the wicked. 3:8 The LORD delivers; you show favor to your people. (Selah)

Psalm 4 For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm of David. 4:1 When I call out, answer me, O God who vindicates me! Though I am hemmed in, you will lead me into a wide, open place. Have mercy on me and respond to my prayer! 4:2 You men, how long will you try to turn my honor into shame? How long will you love what is worthless and search for what is deceptive? (Selah) 4:3 Realize that the LORD shows the godly special favor; the LORD responds when I cry out to him. 4:4 Tremble with fear and do not sin! Meditate as you lie in bed, and repent of your ways! (Selah) 4:5 Offer the prescribed sacrifices and trust in the LORD! 4:6 Many say, “Who can show us anything good?” Smile upon us,

Psalm 5 For the music director, to be accompanied by wind instruments; a psalm of David. 5:1 Listen to what I say, LORD! Carefully consider my complaint! 5:2 Pay attention to my cry for help, my king and my God, for I am praying to you! 5:3 LORD, in the morning you will hear me; in the morning I will present my case to you and then wait expectantly for an answer. 5:4 Certainly you are not a God who approves of evil; evil people cannot dwell with you. 5:5 Arrogant people cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who behave wickedly. 5:6 You destroy liars; the LORD despises violent and deceitful people. 5:7 But as for me, because of your great faithfulness I will enter your house; I will bow down toward your holy temple as I worship you. 5:8

Psalm 6 For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments, according to the sheminith style; a psalm of David. 6:1 LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger! Do not discipline me in your raging fury! 6:2 Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am frail! Heal me, LORD, for my bones are shaking! 6:3 I am absolutely terrified, and you, LORD – how long will this continue? 6:4 Relent, LORD, rescue me! Deliver me because of your faithfulness! 6:5 For no one remembers you in the realm of death, In Sheol who gives you thanks? 6:6 I am exhausted as I groan; all night long I drench my bed in tears; my tears saturate the cushion beneath me. 6:7 My eyes grow dim from suffering; they grow weak because of all my enemies. 6:8 Turn back from me, all

Psalm 7 A musical composition by David, which he sang to the LORD concerning a Benjaminite named Cush. 7:1 O LORD my God, in you I have taken shelter. Deliver me from all who chase me! Rescue me! 7:2 Otherwise they will rip me to shreds like a lion; they will tear me to bits and no one will be able to rescue me. 7:3 O LORD my God, if I have done what they say, or am guilty of unjust actions, 7:4 or have wronged my ally, or helped his lawless enemy, 7:5 may an enemy relentlessly chase me and catch me; may he trample me to death and leave me lying dishonored in the dust. (Selah) 7:6 Stand up angrily, LORD! Rise up with raging fury against my enemies! Wake up for my sake and execute the judgment

Psalm 8 For the music director, according to the gittith style; a psalm of David. 8:1 O LORD, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth! You reveal your majesty in the heavens above! 8:2 From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy. 8:3 When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place, 8:4 Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them, 8:5 and make them a little less than the heavenly beings? You grant mankind honor and majesty; 8:6 you appoint them to rule over your

Psalm 9 For the music director; according to the alumoth-labben style; a psalm of David. 9:1 I will thank the LORD with all my heart! I will tell about all your amazing deeds! 9:2 I will be happy and rejoice in you! I will sing praises to you, O sovereign One! 9:3 When my enemies turn back, they trip and are defeated before you. 9:4 For you defended my just cause; from your throne you pronounced a just decision. 9:5 You terrified the nations with your battle cry; you destroyed the wicked; you permanently wiped out all memory of them. 9:6 The enemy’s cities have been reduced to permanent ruins; you destroyed their cities; all memory of the enemies has perished. 9:7 But the LORD rules forever; he reigns in a just manner. 9:8 He judges the world fairly; he makes just legal decisions

Psalm 10 10:1 Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you pay no attention during times of trouble? 10:2 The wicked arrogantly chase the oppressed; the oppressed are trapped by the schemes the wicked have dreamed up. 10:3 Yes, the wicked man boasts because he gets what he wants; the one who robs others curses and rejects the LORD. 10:4 The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks, “God won’t hold me accountable; he doesn’t care.” 10:5 He is secure at all times. He has no regard for your commands; he disdains all his enemies. 10:6 He says to himself, “I will never be upended, because I experience no calamity.” 10:7 His mouth is full of curses and deceptive, harmful words; his tongue injures and destroys. 10:8 He waits in ambush near the villages; in hidden places he kills the