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Psalm 1-5
New Living Translation
Psalm 1-5
New Living Translation
Book one (Psalms 1–41)
Psalm 1
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
Psalm 2
1 Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.
3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then in anger he rebukes them,
terrifying them with his fierce fury.
6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
in Jerusalem,[a] on my holy mountain.”
7 The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.[b]
Today I have become your Father.[c]
8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
the whole earth as your possession.
9 You will break[d] them with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.’”
10 Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Submit to God’s royal son,[e] or he will become angry,
and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant.
But what joy for all who take refuge in him!
Psalm 3
A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.
1 O Lord, I have so many enemies;
so many are against me.
2 So many are saying,
“God will never rescue him!” Interlude[f]
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
4 I cried out to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude
5 I lay down and slept,
yet I woke up in safety,
for the Lord was watching over me.
6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
who surround me on every side.
7 Arise, O Lord!
Rescue me, my God!
Slap all my enemies in the face!
Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
8 Victory comes from you, O Lord.
May you bless your people. Interlude
Psalm 4
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.
1 Answer me when I call to you,
O God who declares me innocent.
Free me from my troubles.
Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 How long will you people ruin my reputation?
How long will you make groundless accusations?
How long will you continue your lies? Interlude
3 You can be sure of this:
The Lord set apart the godly for himself.
The Lord will answer when I call to him.
4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude
5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit,
and trust the Lord.
6 Many people say, “Who will show us better times?”
Let your face smile on us, Lord.
7 You have given me greater joy
than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
Psalm 5
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by the flute.
1 O Lord, hear me as I pray;
pay attention to my groaning.
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
for I pray to no one but you.
3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
4 O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
5 Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence,
for you hate all who do evil.
6 You will destroy those who tell lies.
The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.
7 Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
8 Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow.
9 My enemies cannot speak a truthful word.
Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with flattery.[g]
10 O God, declare them guilty.
Let them be caught in their own traps.
Drive them away because of their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
12 For you bless the godly, O Lord;
you surround them with your shield of love.
Footnotes
- 2:6 Hebrew on Zion.
- 2:7a Or Son; also in 2:12.
- 2:7b Or Today I reveal you as my son.
- 2:9 Greek version reads rule. Compare Rev 2:27.
- 2:12 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
- 3:2 Hebrew Selah. The meaning of this word is uncertain, though it is probably a musical or literary term. It is rendered Interlude throughout the Psalms.
- 5:9 Greek version reads with lies. Compare Rom 3:13.
Psalm 1-5
New International Version
Psalm 1-5
New International Version
BOOK I
Psalms 1–41
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the one(A)
who does not walk(B) in step with the wicked(C)
or stand in the way(D) that sinners take(E)
or sit(F) in the company of mockers,(G)
2 but whose delight(H) is in the law of the Lord,(I)
and who meditates(J) on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree(K) planted by streams(L) of water,(M)
which yields its fruit(N) in season
and whose leaf(O) does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.(P)
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff(Q)
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand(R) in the judgment,(S)
nor sinners in the assembly(T) of the righteous.
6 For the Lord watches over(U) the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.(V)
Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations conspire[a]
and the peoples plot(W) in vain?
2 The kings(X) of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed,(Y) saying,
3 “Let us break their chains(Z)
and throw off their shackles.”(AA)
4 The One enthroned(AB) in heaven laughs;(AC)
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger(AD)
and terrifies them in his wrath,(AE) saying,
6 “I have installed my king(AF)
on Zion,(AG) my holy mountain.(AH)”
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;(AI)
today I have become your father.(AJ)
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations(AK) your inheritance,(AL)
the ends of the earth(AM) your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron[b];(AN)
you will dash them to pieces(AO) like pottery.(AP)”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;(AQ)
be warned, you rulers(AR) of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear(AS)
and celebrate his rule(AT) with trembling.(AU)
12 Kiss his son,(AV) or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath(AW) can flare up in a moment.
Blessed(AX) are all who take refuge(AY) in him.
Psalm 3[c]
A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.(AZ)
1 Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.(BA)”[d]
3 But you, Lord, are a shield(BB) around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.(BC)
4 I call out to the Lord,(BD)
and he answers me from his holy mountain.(BE)
5 I lie down and sleep;(BF)
I wake again,(BG) because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear(BH) though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.(BI)
7 Arise,(BJ) Lord!
Deliver me,(BK) my God!
Strike(BL) all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth(BM) of the wicked.
Psalm 4[e]
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.
1 Answer me(BP) when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;(BQ)
have mercy(BR) on me and hear my prayer.(BS)
2 How long will you people turn my glory(BT) into shame?(BU)
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods[f]?[g](BV)
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant(BW) for himself;
the Lord hears(BX) when I call to him.
4 Tremble and[h] do not sin;(BY)
when you are on your beds,(BZ)
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the Lord.(CA)
6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.(CB)
7 Fill my heart(CC) with joy(CD)
when their grain and new wine(CE) abound.
Psalm 5[i]
For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David.
1 Listen(CI) to my words, Lord,
consider my lament.(CJ)
2 Hear my cry for help,(CK)
my King and my God,(CL)
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning,(CM) Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.(CN)
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people(CO) are not welcome.
5 The arrogant(CP) cannot stand(CQ)
in your presence.
You hate(CR) all who do wrong;
6 you destroy those who tell lies.(CS)
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, Lord, detest.
7 But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence(CT) I bow down(CU)
toward your holy temple.(CV)
8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness(CW)
because of my enemies—
make your way straight(CX) before me.
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;(CY)
with their tongues they tell lies.(CZ)
10 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,(DA)
for they have rebelled(DB) against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.(DC)
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name(DD) may rejoice in you.(DE)
Footnotes
- Psalm 2:1 Hebrew; Septuagint rage
- Psalm 2:9 Or will rule them with an iron scepter (see Septuagint and Syriac)
- Psalm 3:1 In Hebrew texts 3:1-8 is numbered 3:2-9.
- Psalm 3:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 4 and 8.
- Psalm 4:1 In Hebrew texts 4:1-8 is numbered 4:2-9.
- Psalm 4:2 Or seek lies
- Psalm 4:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.
- Psalm 4:4 Or In your anger (see Septuagint)
- Psalm 5:1 In Hebrew texts 5:1-12 is numbered 5:2-13.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.