The Psalter Psalter 1 That man is blessed who fearing God, From sin restrains his feet, Who will not stand with wicked men, Who shuns the scorners' seat. Yea, blest is he who makes God's law His portion and delight, And meditates upon that law With gladness day and night. That man is nourished like a tree Set by the river's side; Its leaf is green, its fruit is sure, And thus his works abide. The wicked like the driven chaff Are swept from off the land; They shall not gather with the just, Nor in the judgment stand. The Lord will guard the righteous well, Their way to Him is known; The way of sinners, far from God, Shall surely be o'er thrown.
Psalter 2 Blest is he who loves God's precepts, Who from sin restrains his feet, He who will not stand with sinners, He who shuns the scorners' seat. Blest is he who makes the statutes Of the Lord his chief delight, In God's law, devinely perfect, Meditating day and night. He is like a tree well planted By the flowing river's side, Ever green of leaf and fruitful: Thus shall all his works abide. Like the driven chaff the wicked Shall be swept from off the land; With the just they shall not gather, Nor shall in the judgment stand. Well the Lord will guard the righteous, For their way to Him is known; But the way of evil- doers Shall by Him be over thrown
Psalter 3 Wherefore do the nations rage And the people vainly dream That in triumph they can wage War against the King supreme? Christ His Son a scoff they make, And the rulers plotting say: Their dominion let us break, Let us cast their yoke away, Their dominion let us break, Let us cast their yoke away. But the Lord will scorn them all, Calm He sits enthroned on high; Soon His wrath will on them fall, Sore displeased He will reply: Yet according to My will I have set My King to reign, And on Zion's holy hill My Anointed I maintain; And on Zion's holy hill My anointed I maintain. This His word shall be made known, This Jehovah's firm decree: Thou art My beloved Son, Yea, I have begotten Thee. All the earth at Thy request I will give Thee for Thy own; Then Thy might shall be confessed And Thy foes be over thrown; Then Thy might shall be confessed And Thy foes be over thrown. Therefore, Kings, be wise, give ear; Hearken, judges of the earth; Learn to serve the Lord with fear, Mingle trembling with your mirth. Kiss the Son, lest o'er your way His consuming wrath should break; But supremely blest are they
Who in Christ their refuge take; But supremely blest are they Who in Christ their refuge take.
Psalter 4 O wherefore do the nations rage, And kings and rulers strive in vain, Against the Lord of earth and heav'n To overthrow Messiah's reign? Their strength is weakness in the sight Of Him Who sits enthroned above; He speaks, and judgments fall on them Who tempt His wrath and scorn His love. By God's decree His Son receives The nations for His heritage; The conqu'ring Christ supreme shall reign As King of kings, from age to age. Be wise, ye rulers of the earth, And serve the Lord with godly fear; With rev'rent joy confess the Son While yet in mercy He is near. Delay not, lest His anger rise, And ye should perish in your way; Lo, all that put their trust in Him Are blest indeed, and blest for aye.
Psalter 5 O Lord, how are my foes increased Against me many rise; How many say, In vain for help He on his God relies Thou art my shield and glory, Lord, My Savior, O Most High. The Lord from out His holy hill Gives answer when I cry. I laid me down and slept, I waked, Because the Lord sustains; Tho' many thousands compass me, Unmoved my soul remains. Arise, O Lord; save me, my God; For Thou hast owned my cause, And oft hast beaten down my foes Who scorn Thy righteous laws. Salvation to the Lord belongs, In Him His saints are blest; O let Thy blessing evermore Upon Thy people rest.