Psalms 37:1-18

1 (36-1) Be not emulous of evildoers; nor envy them that work iniquity.

2 (36-2) For they shall shortly wither away as grass, and as the green herbs shall quickly fall.

3 (36-3) Trust in the Lord, and do good, and dwell in the land, and thou shalt be fed with its riches.

4 (36-4) Delight in the Lord, and he will give thee the requests of thy heart.

5 (36-5) Commit thy way to the Lord, and trust in him, and he will do it.

6 (36-6) And he will bring forth thy justice as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7 (36-7) Be subject to the Lord and pray to him. Envy not the man who prospereth in his way; the man who doth unjust things.

8 (36-8) Cease from anger, and leave rage; have no emulation to do evil.

9 (36-9) For evildoers shall be cut off: but they that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the land.

10 (36-10) For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: and thou shalt seek his place, and shalt not find it.

11 (36-11) But the meek shall inherit the land, and shall delight in abundance of peace.

12 (36-12) The sinner shall watch the just man: and shall gnash upon him with his teeth.

13 (36-13) But the Lord shall laugh at him: for he foreseeth that his day shall come.

14 (36-14) The wicked have drawn out the sword: they have bent their bow. To cast down the poor and needy, to kill the upright of heart.

15 (36-15) Let their sword enter into their own hearts, and let their bow be broken.

16 (36-16) Better is a little to the just, than the great riches of the wicked.

17 (36-17) For the arms of the wicked shall be broken in pieces; but the Lord strengtheneth the just.

18 (36-18) The Lord knoweth the days of the undefiled; and their inheritance shall be for ever.

Psalms 37:1-18 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.