Psalms 37:1-14

1 Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers,

2 for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.

4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

6 He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

7 Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.

8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil.

9 For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

10 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.

11 But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

12 The wicked plot against the righteous, and gnash their teeth at them;

13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that their day is coming.

14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to kill those who walk uprightly;

Psalms 37:1-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 37

\\<<[A Psalm] of David>>\\. This psalm, it is very probable, was written at the same time, and upon the same occasion, with the former; and describes the different states of good and bad men; and is full of exhortations, instructions, and advice to the people of God; intermixed with various encouraging promises. A late learned writer {h} thinks it was written for Mephibosheth's consolation under Ziba's calumny. {h} Delaney's Life of King David, vol. 2. p. 219.