Psalms 1-2

The Hebrew Bible
1Happy is the man who has not followed the counsel of the wicked,

or taken the path of sinners,

or joined the company of the insolent;

2rather, the teaching of the Lord is his delight,

and he studies that teaching day and night.

3He is like a tree planted beside streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season,

whose foliage never fades,

and whatever it produces thrives.

4Not so the wicked;

rather, they are like chaff that wind blows away.

5Therefore the wicked will not survive judgment,

nor will sinners, in the assembly of the righteous.

6For the Lord cherishes the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked is doomed.

2Why do nations assemble,

and peoples plot vain things;

2kings of the earth take their stand,

and regents intrigue together

against the Lord and against His anointed?

3“Let us break the cords of their yoke,

shake off their ropes from us!”

4He who is enthroned in heaven laughs;

the Lord mocks at them.

5Then He speaks to them in anger,

terrifying them in His rage,

6“But I have installed My king

on Zion, My holy mountain!”

7Let me tell of the decree-

the Lord said to me,

“You are My son,

I have fathered you this day.

8Ask it of Me,

and I will make the nations your domain;

your estate, the limits of the earth.

9You can smash them with an iron mace,

shatter them like potter’s ware.”

10So now, O kings, be prudent;

accept discipline, you rulers of the earth!

11Serve the Lord in awe;

tremble with fright,

12 pay homage in good faith,

lest He be angered, and your way be doomed

in the mere flash of His anger.

Happy are all who take refuge in Him.

Tanakh, The Holy Scriptures, (Philadelphia, Jerusalem- Jewish Publication Society) 1985.