Psalms 37:1-11

1 {[A Psalm] of David.} Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, and be not envious of them that work unrighteousness;

2 for they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and fade as the green herb.

3 Confide in Jehovah, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on faithfulness;

4 and delight thyself in Jehovah, and he will give thee the desires of thy heart.

5 Commit thy way unto Jehovah, and rely upon him: he will bring [it] to pass;

6 and he will bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him that prospereth in his way, because of the man that bringeth mischievous devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself: it [would be] only to do evil.

9 For evil-doers shall be cut off; but those that wait on Jehovah, they shall possess the land.

10 For yet a little while, and the wicked is not; and thou considerest his place, but he is not.

11 But the meek shall possess the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of prosperity.

Psalms 37:1-11 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'give thyself to.'
• [b]. Lit. 'Roll thy way upon:' see Ps. 22.8.
• [c]. Or 'thy right.'
• [d]. Or 'the earth;' and so in vers. 11,22,29,34: see Ps. 25.13 and Note, Matt. 5.5.
• [e]. Or 'it.'
• [f]. Or 'peace'