Sermon for September 4th, 2016

Robert Alter's translation: 1Happy the man who has not walked in the wicked’s counsel, nor in the way of offenders has stood, nor in the session of scoffers has sat. 2But the LORD’s teaching is his desire, and His teaching he murmurs day and night.

3And he shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither— and in all that he does he prospers. 4Not so the wicked, but like chaff that the wind drives away. 5Therefore the wicked will not stand up in judgment, nor offenders in the band of the righteous. 6For the LORD embraces the way of the righteous, and the way of the wicked is lost.

JPS 1 Happy is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, that bringeth forth its fruit in its season, and whose leaf doth not wither; and in whatsoever he doeth he shall prosper. 4 Not so the wicked; but they are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous 6 For the LORD regardeth the way of the righteous; but the way of the wicked shall perish

NRSV: 1 Happy are those

   who do not follow the advice of the wicked,

or take the path that sinners tread,

   or sit in the seat of scoffers;

2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord,

   and on his law they meditate day and night.

3 They are like trees

   planted by streams of water,

which yield their fruit in its season,

   and their leaves do not wither.

In all that they do, they prosper. 4 The wicked are not so,

   but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

   nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

   but the way of the wicked will perish.

Neal's Translation:

Well is the one who walks not in the ways of wicked people, Nor stands in the sinner's path; nor settles into the scoffer's seat;

But whose will is turned to the teachings of the Lord Whose

2. But his will is on God's law and around his law he is searching by day and night. 3. For him it is as the tree that is planted near water's runnels, that gives its fruit in right tide, and its leaf and its blade neither fallow nor sear; all for him gomes to good that he does. 4. But the unrighteous are not like such, not to them also happens; but they are liker to dust when the wind blows it apart. 5. Therefore the unrighteous will not arise on doomsday, nor the sinful be in the thought of the righteous. 6. Because God knows which way the righteous earned, but the unrighteous come to judgment.

Ashre Ha-ish asher (Happy is the man)