Psalm 1

Common Metre (8,6,8,6)

Suggested Tunes: 138 Tallis, 125 St Peter, 121 St Matthias

1    That man hath perfect blessedness

            who walketh not astray

      In counsel of ungodly men,

            nor stands in sinners’ way.

      Nor sitteth in the scorner’s chair:

2          But placeth his delight

      Upon God’s law, and meditates

            on his law day and night.

3    He shall be like a tree that grows

            near planted by a river,

      Which in his season yields his fruit,

            and his leaf fadeth never:

      And all he doth shall prosper well.

4         The wicked are not so;

      But like they are unto the chaff,

            which wind drives to and fro.

5    In judgment therefore shall not stand

            such as ungodly are;

      Nor in th’ assembly of the just

            shall wicked men appear.

6    For why? the way of godly men

            unto the Lord in known:

      Whereas the way of wicked men

            shall quite be overthrown.