Psalm 37
By David.
1 Don’t
fret because of
evildoers,
neither be envious
against those who
work unrighteousness.
2 For
they shall soon
be cut down like
the grass,
and wither like
the green herb.
3 Trust in
the LORD, and
do good.
Dwell in the land,
and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Also
delight yourself
in the LORD,
and he will
give you the
desires of your
heart.
5 Commit
your way to
the LORD.
Trust also in him,
and he will
do this:
6 he
will make your
righteousness shine out
like light,
and your justice
as the noon
day sun.
7 Rest
in the LORD,
and wait patiently
for him.
Don’t fret because
of him who
prospers in his
way,
because of the man
who makes wicked
plots happen.
8 Cease
from anger, and
forsake wrath.
Don’t fret; it leads only
to evildoing.
9 For
evildoers shall be
cut off,
but those who
wait for the
LORD shall inherit
the land.
10 For
yet a little
while, and the
wicked will be
no more.
Yes, though you look for
his place, he isn’t
there.
11 But
the humble shall
inherit the land,
and shall delight
themselves in the
abundance of peace.
12 The
wicked plots
against the just,
and gnashes at
him with his
teeth.
13 The Lord
will laugh at
him,
for he sees
that his day
is coming.
14 The
wicked have drawn
out the sword,
and have bent
their bow,
to cast down
the poor and
needy,
to kill those
who are upright
on the path.
15 Their
sword shall enter
into their own
heart.
Their bows shall
be broken.
16 Better
is a little
that the
righteous has,
than the
abundance of many
wicked.
17 For
the arms of
the wicked shall
be broken,
but the
LORD upholds the
righteous.
18 The
LORD knows the
days of the
perfect.
Their inheritance
shall be forever.
19 They
shall not
be disappointed in
the time of
evil.
In the days
of famine they
shall be satisfied.
20 But
the wicked shall
perish.
The enemies of
the LORD shall
be like the beauty
of the fields.
They will vanish—
vanish like smoke.
21 The
wicked borrow,
and don’t pay back,
but the righteous
give generously.
22 For such
as are blessed
by him shall
inherit the land.
Those who are
cursed by him
shall be cut
off.
23 A
man’s steps are
established by the
LORD.
He delights in
his way.
24 Though
he stumble, he
shall not fall,
for the LORD
holds him up
with his hand.
25 I
have been young,
and now am
old,
yet I have
not seen the
righteous forsaken,
nor his children
begging for bread.
26 All
day long he deals
graciously, and
lends.
His offspring is
blessed.
27 Depart
from evil, and
do good.
Live securely forever.
28 For
the LORD loves
justice,
and doesn’t forsake
his saints.
They are
preserved forever,
but the children
of the wicked
shall be cut
off.
29 The
righteous shall
inherit the land,
and live in
it forever.
30 The
mouth of the
righteous talks of
wisdom.
His tongue speaks
justice.
31 The
law of his
God is in
his heart.
None of his steps
shall slide.
32 The
wicked watch the
righteous,
and seek to
kill him.
33 The
LORD will not
leave him in
his hand,
nor condemn him
when he is
judged.
34 Wait
for the LORD,
and keep his
way,
and he will
exalt you to
inherit the land.
When the wicked
are cut off,
you shall see
it.
35 I
have seen the
wicked in great
power,
spreading himself like
a green tree in its
native soil.
36 But
he passed away,
and behold, he
was not.
Yes, I sought
him, but he could
not be found.
37 Mark
the perfect man,
and see the
upright,
for there is
a future for the
man of peace.
38 As
for transgressors,
they shall be
destroyed together.
The future of the
wicked shall be
cut off.
39 But
the salvation of
the righteous is
from the LORD.
He is their
stronghold in the
time of trouble.
40 The
LORD helps them
and rescues them.
He rescues them
from the wicked
and saves them,
because they have
taken refuge in
him.