Psalms 37:8

8 Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm.

Psalms 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.

Psalms 37:8 In-Context

6 He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun.

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

8 Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm.

9 For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

10 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.