1 How blest is he who ne'er consents

by ill advice to walk;

Nor stands in sinners' ways nor sits

where men profanely talk.

2 But makes the perfect law of God

his business and delight;

Devoutly reads therein by day,

and meditates by night.

3 Like some fair tree, which, fed by streams,

with timely fruit does bend,

He still shall flourish, and success

all his designs attend.

4 Ungodly men and their attempts

no lasting root shall find;

Untimely blasted, and dispers'd

like chaff before the wind.

5 Their guilt shall strike the wicked dumb

before their Judge's face;

No formal hypocrite shall then

amongst the saints have place.

6 For God approves the just man's ways,

to happiness they tend;

But sinners, and the paths they tread,

shall both in ruin, end.