Song 1. Red first from the new Revised Standard version, then from the Contemporary English

version, then from Psalms for Praying by Nancy Merrill.

Happier those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners

tread or sit in the seat of scoffers. But their delight is in the law of the Lord, and

on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water,

which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither, and all that they

do, they prosper. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation

of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the

wicked will perish.

God blesses those people who refuse evil advice, and won't follow sinners or join in sneering

at God. Instead they find happiness in the teaching of the Lord, and they think about

it day and night. They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit

in season, and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do. This isn't

true of those who are evil, they are like straw blown by the wind. Sinners won't have

an excuse on the day of judgment, and they won't have a place with the people of God.

The Lord protects everyone who follows Him, but the wicked follow a road that leads to ruin.

Blessed are those who walk hand in hand with goodness, who stand beside virtue, who sit

in the seat of truth. For their delight is in the spirit of love, and in love's heart

they dwell day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water that yield fruit

and do season, and their leaves flourish. And in all that they do, they give life. The

unloving are not so. They are like dandelions which the wind blows away, turning from the

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