Psalm 37:8

8 ease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself so as to do evil.

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 shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noon-day.

7 Submit thyself to the Lord, and supplicate him: fret not thyself because of him that prospers in his way, at the man that does unlawful deeds.

8 ease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself so as to do evil.

9 For evil-doers shall be destroyed: but they that wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the land.

10 And yet a little while, and the sinner shall not be, and thou shalt seek for his place, and shalt not find it.