Psalm 37:1

The Protection of the Righteous and the Destruction of the Wicked

Of David.

1 Do not fret because of evildoers; do not be envious of doers of wickedness.

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 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Psalm 37:1 In-Context

1 Do not fret because of evildoers; do not be envious of doers of wickedness.

2 For like the grass they will dry up quickly, and like green vegetation they will wither.

3 Trust Yahweh and do good. Abide [in the] land and feed on faithfulness.

4 Take pleasure in Yahweh as well, and he will give to you the requests of your heart.

5 {Commit to} Yahweh your way; Trust also on him and he will act.

Footnotes

• [a] The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm