Psalms 37:1

1 Aleph Do not be angry with the evildoers, neither be thou envious of the workers of iniquity.

Psalms 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.

Psalms 37:1 In-Context

1 Aleph Do not be angry with the evildoers, neither be thou envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb.
3 Beth Wait in the LORD and do good; live in the land and uphold the truth.
4 In the same manner delight thyself in the LORD, and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart.
5 Gimel Turn thy way unto the LORD and wait in him, and he shall bring it to pass.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010