Psalm 37:8

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: Fret not thyself, [it tendeth] only to evil-doing.

Psalm 37:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 37:8

Cease from anger
Either at these wicked men who are so prosperous, or at God, who for the present suffers it; see ( Jonah 4:9 ) ( Proverbs 19:3 ) ;

and forsake wrath;
which is anger wrought up to a greater degree; and the rather to be shunned and avoided, as being very disagreeable to the character of a good man;

fret not thyself in any wise to do evil;
evil may be done by fretting at the prosperity of wicked men, or by imitating them, doing as they do, in hope of being prosperous as they are; from which the psalmist dissuades by reasons following.

Psalm 37:8 In-Context

6 And he will make thy righteousness to go forth as the light, And thy justice as the noon-day.

7 Rest in Jehovah, 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, [it tendeth] only to evil-doing.

9 For evil-doers shall be cut off; But those that wait for Jehovah, they shall inherit the land.

10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and he shall not be.