1 [A Psalm] of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked [shall] not [be]: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it [shall] not [be].
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth 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, [and] to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath [is] better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD [shall be] as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
22 For [such as be] blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and [they that be] cursed of him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand.
25 I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 [He is] ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed [is] blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God [is] in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see [it].
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he [was] not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect [man], and behold the upright: for the end of [that] man [is] peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is] their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
Overview of Psalm 37
Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm attributed to David, emphasizing the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. It provides guidance on how to live righteously amid the apparent prosperity of the wicked. The psalm encourages trust in God, patience, and the assurance of divine justice.
Thematic Elements
- Trust in the Lord: The psalm opens with a call to trust in God rather than being envious of the wicked.
- Righteousness vs. Wickedness: A clear distinction is made between the fate of the righteous and the wicked.
- Divine Justice: The psalm assures believers that God will ultimately bring justice and vindication.
- Patience and Hope: It encourages patience in the face of adversity, trusting that God will act in His time.
Structure of Psalm 37
- Verses 1-2: Exhortation Against Envy
The psalm begins with a warning not to fret or envy those who do evil, as their prosperity is fleeting.
- Verses 3-6: Call to Trust and Delight in God
These verses encourage believers to trust in the Lord, do good, and find joy in Him, promising that He will fulfill their desires.
- Verses 7-11: The Attitude of the Righteous
This section emphasizes the importance of being still before the Lord and waiting patiently for Him, highlighting the blessings that come to the meek.
- Verses 12-20: The Fate of the Wicked
Here, the psalmist contrasts the plans of the wicked with the protection of the Lord over the righteous, assuring that the wicked will ultimately perish.
- Verses 21-26: The Generosity of the Righteous
These verses illustrate the character of the righteous, who are generous and merciful, and assures that they will not be forsaken.
- Verses 27-31: The Path of the Righteous
This section encourages turning away from evil and doing good, reinforcing that the righteous will dwell in the land and be secure.
- Verses 32-40: Conclusion and Assurance
The psalm concludes with a reaffirmation of the Lord’s protection over the righteous and the ultimate downfall of the wicked, encouraging believers to seek refuge in God.
Key Verses and Their Significance
- Verse 4: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of aligning one’s desires with God’s will, promising fulfillment through that alignment.
- Verse 7: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”
This verse highlights the virtue of patience and the importance of trusting God’s timing.
- Verse 25: “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken.”
This personal testimony from David reinforces the faithfulness of God to His people throughout their lives.
- Verse 39-40: “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.”
These closing verses provide assurance of God’s protection and salvation for the righteous, solidifying the central theme of divine justice.
Conclusion
Psalm 37 serves as a profound reminder of the importance of faith, patience, and righteousness. It reassures believers of God’s ultimate justice and encourages them to remain steadfast in their trust in Him, regardless of the circumstances they face. The psalm’s timeless wisdom continues to resonate, offering guidance for navigating life’s challenges with faith and integrity.
