Study Desk

How happy is the man who does not follow^[a] the advice of the wicked or take^[b] the path of sinners or join a group^[c] of mockers!^(a)

Instead, his delight is in the Lord 's instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.^(b)

He is like a tree planted beside streams of water^[d] that bears its fruit in season^[e](c) and whose leaf does not wither.^(d) Whatever he does prospers.^(e)

The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away.^(f)

Therefore the wicked will not survive^[f] the judgment,^(g) and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,^(h) but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.⁽ⁱ⁾

Why^(a) do the nations rebel^[a](b) and the peoples plot in vain?^(c)

The kings of the earth take their stand,^(d) and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and His Anointed One:^[b](e)

"Let us tear off their chains and free ourselves from their restraints."^[c](f)

The One enthroned^[d] in heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them.^(g)

Then He speaks to them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath:^(h)

"I have consecrated My King^[e] on Zion, My holy mountain."⁽ⁱ⁾

I will declare the Lord 's decree: He said to Me, "You are My Son;^[f] today I have become Your^[g] Father.^(j)

Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your^[h] inheritance and the ends of the earth Your^[i] possession.^(k)

You will break^[j] them with a rod of iron; You^[k] will shatter them like pottery."^[l](l)

So now, kings, be wise; receive instruction, you judges of the earth.

Serve the Lord with reverential awe and rejoice with trembling.^(m)

Pay homage to^[m] the Son or He^[n] will be angry and you will perish in your rebellion,^[o](n) for His^[p] anger may ignite at any moment.^(o) All those who take refuge in Him^[q] are happy.^(p)