Psalms 37:1

Of David.

1 ^[a]Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;

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Psalms 37:1 in Other Translations

KJV

1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

ESV

1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!

NLT

1 Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.

MSG

1 Don't bother your head with braggarts or wish you could succeed like the wicked.

CSB

1 Do not be agitated by evildoers; do not envy those who do wrong.

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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Psalms 37:1 In-Context

1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;

2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

Cross References 2

1. Proverbs 3:31; Proverbs 23:17-18
2. Psalms 73:3; Proverbs 24:19

Footnotes 1

[a]. This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.