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  Psalm 1  
     
1
  Blessed are they who have not walked
in the counsel of the wicked, 
    nor lingered in the way of sinners,
nor sat in the assembly of the scornful.
     
2
  Their delight is in the law of the Lord 
    and they meditate on his law day and night.
     
3
  Like a tree planted by streams of water
bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither, 
    whatever they do, it shall prosper.
     
     
4
  As for the wicked, it is not so with them; 
    they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
     
5
  Therefore the wicked shall not be able to stand in the judgement, 
    nor the sinner in the congregation of the righteous.
     
6
  For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, 
    but the way of the wicked shall perish.
     
    Psalm 2  
     
1
  Why are the nations in tumult, 
    and why do the peoples devise a vain plot?
     
2
  The kings of the earth rise up,
and the rulers take counsel together, 
    against the Lord and against his anointed:
     
3
  'Let us break their bonds asunder 
    and cast away their cords from us.'
     
     
4
  He who dwells in heaven shall laugh them to scorn; 
    the Lord shall have them in derision.
     
5
  Then shall he speak to them in his wrath 
    and terrify them in his fury:
     
6
  'Yet have I set my king 
    upon my holy hill of Zion.'
     
     
7
  I will proclaim the decree of the Lord; 
    he said to me: 'You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.
     
8
  'Ask of me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance 
    and the ends of the earth for your possession.
     
9
  'You shall break them with a rod of iron 
    and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.'
     
     
10
  Now therefore be wise, O kings; 
    be prudent, you judges of the earth.
     
11
  Serve the Lord with fear, and with trembling kiss his feet, 
    lest he be angry and you perish from the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
     
12
  Happy are all they 
    who take refuge in him.
     
    Psalm 3  
     
1
  Lord, how many are my adversaries; 
    many are they who rise up against me.
     
2
  Many are they who say to my soul, 
    'There is no help for you in your God.'
     
     
3
  But you, Lord, are a shield about me; 
    you are my glory, and the lifter up of my head.
     
4
  When I cry aloud to the Lord, 
    he will answer me from his holy hill;
     
5
  I lie down and sleep and rise again, 
    because the Lord sustains me.
     
6
  I will not be afraid of hordes of the peoples 
    that have set themselves against me all around.
     
7
  Rise up, O Lord, and deliver me, O my God, 
    for you strike all my enemies on the cheek
and break the teeth of the wicked.
     
8
  Salvation belongs to the Lord: 
    may your blessing be upon your people.
     
    Psalm 4  
     
1
  Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness; 
    you set me at liberty when I was in trouble;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
     
     
2
  How long will you nobles dishonour my glory; 
    how long will you love vain things and seek after falsehood?
     
3
  But know that the Lord has shown me his marvellous kindness; 
    when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.
     
4
  Stand in awe, and sin not; 
    commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.
     
5
  Offer the sacrifices of righteousness 
    and put your trust in the Lord.
     
6
  There are many that say, 'Who will show us any good?' 
    Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon us.
     
7
  You have put gladness in my heart, 
    more than when their corn and wine and oil increase.
     
8
  In peace I will lie down and sleep, 
    for it is you Lord, only, who make me dwell in safety.
     
    Psalm 5  
     
1
  Give ear to my words, O Lord; 
    consider my lamentation.
     
2
  Hearken to the voice of my crying, my King and my God, 
    for to you I make my prayer.
     
3
  In the morning, Lord, you will hear my voice; 
    early in the morning I make my appeal to you, and look up.
     
4
  For you are the God who takes no pleasure in wickedness; 
    no evil can dwell with you.
     
5
  The boastful cannot stand in your sight; 
    you hate all those that work wickedness.
     
6
  You destroy those who speak lies; 
    the bloodthirsty and deceitful the Lord will abhor.
     
7
  But as for me, through the greatness of your mercy,
I will come into your house; 
    I will bow down towards your holy temple in awe of you.
     
8
  Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness,
because of my enemies; 
    make your way straight before my face.
     
9
  For there is no truth in their mouth,
in their heart is destruction, 
    their throat is an open sepulchre,
and they flatter with their tongue.
     
10
  Punish them, O God; 
    let them fall through their own devices.
     
11
  Because of their many transgressions cast them out, 
    for they have rebelled against you.
     
12
  But let all who take refuge in you be glad; 
    let them sing out their joy for ever.
     
13
  You will shelter them, 
    so that those who love your name may exult in you.
     
14
  For you, O Lord, will bless the righteous; 
    and with your favour you will defend them as with a shield.
     
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
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