Psalm 1

Blessed is the person

who does not follow the advice of the wicked,

or choose the way of sinners,

or associate with those who mock,

but who instead delights in the teachings of the Lord,

and thinks about those teachings day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water

- a tree that produces fruit in its season,

and whose leaves do not wither.

Everything he does prospers.

Not so for the wicked!

They are like empty grain husks

that the wind blows away.

So the wicked will not be left standing at the judgment.

Sinners will not be left standing with the righteous people.

For the Lord watches over the way of righteous people,

but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Dennis Hinks translation © 1998