Psalms 37:1-7

Of David.

1 ^[a]Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;

2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

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 do this:

6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Psalms 37:1-7 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.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 3:31; Proverbs 23:17-18
• 2. Psalms 73:3; Proverbs 24:19
• 3. S 2 Kings 19:26; Job 14:2; Psalms 102:4; Isaiah 40:7
• 4. ver 38; Psalms 90:6; Psalms 92:7; James 1:10
• 5. Deuteronomy 30:20
• 6. Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:14; John 10:9
• 7. S Job 27:10; Isaiah 58:14
• 8. S Job 7:6; Psalms 21:2; Psalms 145:19; Matthew 6:33
• 9. Psalms 4:5; Psalms 55:22; Proverbs 16:3; 1 Peter 5:7
• 10. Psalms 18:24; Psalms 103:17; Psalms 112:3; Micah 7:9
• 11. S Job 11:17
• 12. S Exodus 14:14; S Isaiah 41:1; Psalms 62:5; Lamentations 3:26
• 13. S Psalms 27:14; Psalms 40:1; Psalms 130:5; Isaiah 38:13; Habakkuk 3:16; Romans 8:25
• 14. ver 1
• 15. Jeremiah 12:1
• 16. Psalms 21:11; Psalms 26:10; Psalms 119:150

Footnotes

• [a]. This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.