Psalm 37:1

Psalm 37

1

Of David.

1 Don't get upset over evildoers; don't be jealous of those who do wrong,

Psalm 37:1 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 37:1

Fret not thyself because of evildoers
The saints may be grieved at them and for them, because of their evil doings, and may be angry with them for them; yet are not to show any undue warmth, at least in an indecent way, by calling them opprobrious names; for the words may be rendered, "do not show thyself warm" or "angry" ^F9: in a sinful way; or fret not at their outward prosperity, as it is explained ( Psalms 37:7 ) . The Targum adds, "to be like them", which agrees with ( Psalms 37:8 ) ;

neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity;
that is, at their present temporal happiness; see ( Psalms 73:3 ) . The Targum adds, as before, to be joined with them; which sense some parallel places seem to incline to, ( Proverbs 3:31 ) ( 23:17 ) .

---

FOOTNOTES:

F9 (rxtt) "ne accendaris ira", Junius & Tremellius; "ne exardescas", Gejerus, Michaelis.

Psalm 37:1 In-Context

1 Don't get upset over evildoers; don't be jealous of those who do wrong,

2 because they will fade fast, like grass; they will wither like green vegetables.

3 Trust the LORD and do good; live in the land, and farm faithfulness.

4 Enjoy the LORD, and he will give what your heart asks.

5 Commit your way to the LORD! Trust him! He will act

Footnotes

• [a] Ps 37 is an alphabetic acrostic poem; see the note at Pss 9–10 or Ps 111.