Psalms 1; Psalms 2

1 Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God.

2 Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, and they study it day and night.

3 They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.

4 But evil people are not like this at all; they are like straw that the wind blows away.

5 Sinners will be condemned by God and kept apart from God's own people.

6 The righteous are guided and protected by the Lord, but the evil are on the way to their doom.

1 Why do the nations plan rebellion? Why do people make their useless plots?

2 Their kings revolt, their rulers plot together against the Lord and against the king he chose.

3 "Let us free ourselves from their rule," they say; "let us throw off their control."

4 From his throne in heaven the Lord laughs and mocks their feeble plans.

5 Then he warns them in anger and terrifies them with his fury.

6 "On Zion, my sacred hill," he says, "I have installed my king."

7 "I will announce," says the king, "what the Lord has declared. He said to me: "You are my son; today I have become your father.

8 Ask, and I will give you all the nations; the whole earth will be yours.

9 You will break them with an iron rod; you will shatter them in pieces like a clay pot.' "

10 Now listen to this warning, you kings; learn this lesson, you rulers of the world:

11 Serve the Lord with fear; tremble

12 and bow down to him; or else his anger will be quickly aroused, and you will suddenly die. Happy are all who go to him for protection.