Psalm I

Happy the man, whose heaven-directed feet,
Avoid the crowded path where sinners meet;
Who shuns the lofty seat of impious pride;
Of men, who dare Jehovah's law deride.

He in that sacred, venerable law,
(Inspiring holy thoughts and pious awe,)
Continual meditates with new delight;
Guide of his day, and solace of his night!

Beneath heaven's kindest influence he shall grow,
Like a fair tree where cheering waters flow:
Whose grateful boughs confess the happy soil,
And crown'd with autumn's richest bounty smile.

Unfading and secure his hope shall stand,
And prosperous be the labours of his hand.
Not so the Sinner's hope; he soon shall find,
It flies like chaff before the driving wind.

How will the guilty tribes their sentence bear,
When God in awful judgment shall appear?
Then shall no sinner stand before his face,
Or in the blest assembly find a place.

The Lord looks down, and guides his children's way,
Safe to the regions of eternal day.
But oh, the flowery paths which sinners tread,
To darkness and to sure perdition lead.