Psalms 1

1 Blessed is the one who doesn't follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join in with scoffers.

Happy are those who don't follow the advice of the wicked. They refuse to adopt the ways of sinful people, and they don't make fun of others.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Instead they love to do what the law of the Lord says, and they think about it day and night.

3 He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.

They're like trees growing by flowing rivers, producing fruit every season. Their leaves never wither, and they are successful in all they do.

4 Not so with the wicked; instead, they are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

But it's not like that for the wicked! They are like chaff, blown away by the wind.

5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For this reason the wicked will not survive the judgment—sinners have no place among those who live right.

6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.

For the Lord watches over those who follow the right way, but the way of the wicked leads to death.