Psalms 37
Fret Not Yourself Because of Evildoers
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. Evil: Psalms 37:7, 73:3, Proverbs 24:1, 24:19. Sin: Proverbs 23:17. Parallel theme: Proverbs 3:31, 19:3, Galatians 5:21 +3
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Parallel theme: Psalms 92:7, Job 14:2, 1 Peter 1:24
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Faith: Psalms 4:5, 26:1, 62:8, Isaiah 50:10. References Lord: Genesis 26:2, Deuteronomy 30:20, 1 Samuel 26:19. Parallel theme: Psalms 33:19, Isaiah 40:11, Luke 22:35 +5
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. References Lord: Psalms 104:34. Light: Job 22:26, 27:10, Isaiah 58:14. Related: Song of Solomon 2:3. Parallel theme: Psalms 43:4, 145:19, John 15:7, 15:16, 1 Peter 1:8 +5
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. References Lord: Psalms 55:22, Proverbs 16:3, Lamentations 3:37, James 4:15. Faith: Psalms 22:8. Parallel theme: Job 22:28, Ecclesiastes 9:1, Matthew 6:25, Luke 12:22, 1 Peter 5:7 +5
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. References Lord: Psalms 27:14, 40:1, Isaiah 8:17, 30:15. Evil: Proverbs 20:22, Jeremiah 12:1. Parallel theme: Psalms 62:1, 62:5, Habakkuk 2:3, Galatians 6:9 +5
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Judgment: Job 5:2, Proverbs 14:29, Ephesians 4:26, 4:31, Colossians 3:8. Parallel theme: Job 18:4, Proverbs 16:32, Jonah 4:1, 4:9 +4
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty., they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. Parallel theme: Psalms 49:10, 52:5, 103:16, 2 Kings 9:25, Job 7:10, 7:21, 14:10, 24:24, 1 Peter 4:7 +4
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Peace: Psalms 72:7, 119:165, Isaiah 26:3, 48:18, Philippians 4:7. Parallel theme: Psalms 36:8, Matthew 5:5, 1 Timothy 6:11, James 1:21, 3:13 +5
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. Evil: Micah 2:1. Parallel theme: Psalms 31:13, 35:16, Daniel 8:12
13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Evil: Psalms 11:2, Proverbs 29:27, 1 John 3:12
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. Parallel theme: Psalms 35:8, 46:9, 2 Samuel 17:23, Jeremiah 51:56, Hosea 1:5
16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. Righteousness: Proverbs 3:33, 13:25, 16:8. Parallel theme: Proverbs 30:9, Ecclesiastes 2:26, 4:6, Matthew 6:11, 1 Timothy 6:6 +3
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. upholdeth the righteous. References Lord: Psalms 37:24, 145:14. Righteousness: Isaiah 41:10. Evil: Psalms 10:15, Job 38:15. Parallel theme: Psalms 41:12, 51:12, 63:8, Isaiah 42:1, Jude 1:24 +5
18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. References Lord: Psalms 1:6, 103:17, Romans 6:23, 2 Timothy 2:19. Parallel theme: Psalms 31:7, 49:5, 73:24, 1 John 2:25 +3
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. References Lord: Judges 5:31. Evil: Psalms 68:2. Parallel theme: Psalms 102:3, Luke 13:3
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. Grace: 2 Corinthians 8:9. Righteousness: Psalms 112:9. Parallel theme: Psalms 112:5, Deuteronomy 28:12, Proverbs 22:7, Luke 6:30, Hebrews 13:16 +2
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. Blessing: Proverbs 3:33. Curse: Galatians 3:13. Parallel theme: Psalms 37:9, 1 Corinthians 16:22
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty.: and he delighteth in his way. References Lord: Psalms 121:8, Proverbs 16:9, Jeremiah 10:23. Parallel theme: Psalms 17:5, 40:2, 85:13, 119:133, 121:3, 1 Samuel 2:9, Proverbs 4:26 +5
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. References Lord: Psalms 37:17, 94:18, 145:14, 147:6. Parallel theme: Psalms 40:2, 91:12, Proverbs 24:16, Luke 2:34 +3
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteousRighteous: צַדִּיק (Tzaddik). The Hebrew tzaddik (צַדִּיק) describes one who is righteous, just, or lawful—conforming to God's standard. From the root tzedek (צֶדֶק), meaning righteousness or justice. forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Parallel theme: Psalms 25:13, 37:28, 71:18, 94:14, 112:2, Genesis 17:7, Joshua 1:5, 1 Samuel 12:22, 2 Corinthians 4:9, Hebrews 13:5 +5
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Grace: Psalms 37:21, Matthew 5:7. Parallel theme: Psalms 112:5, 112:9
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For the LORD loveth judgmentJudgment: מִשְׁפָּט (Mishpat). The Hebrew mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) means judgment or justice—God's righteous decisions and ordinances. God is the Judge of all the earth who 'shall do right' (Genesis 18:25), executing perfect justice., and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. References Lord: Isaiah 59:21. Love: Psalms 11:7, Isaiah 61:8. Evil: Psalms 37:40, Proverbs 2:22. Holy: Jude 1:1. Parallel theme: Psalms 21:10, Job 27:14, 1 Peter 1:5, 1 John 2:19 +5
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. Righteousness: 2 Peter 3:13. Parallel theme: Psalms 37:9, 37:11, 37:18, Deuteronomy 30:20, Proverbs 2:21, Revelation 21:7 +2
30 The mouth of the righteousRighteous: צַדִּיק (Tzaddik). The Hebrew tzaddik (צַדִּיק) describes one who is righteous, just, or lawful—conforming to God's standard. From the root tzedek (צֶדֶק), meaning righteousness or justice. speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. Righteousness: Psalms 71:15, 71:24, Proverbs 10:21, 10:31. Parallel theme: Proverbs 15:7, 27:9, Matthew 12:35, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 4:6 +4
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. Word: Psalms 1:2, 40:8, 119:11, 119:98, Deuteronomy 6:6, Isaiah 51:7, Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:10. Parallel theme: Psalms 37:23, 121:3 +5
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
33 The LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. References Lord: Psalms 27:14, 37:3. Evil: Psalms 37:7, 37:9, 91:8, Proverbs 16:17, 20:22. Parallel theme: Job 17:9, Matthew 24:13, 1 Peter 5:6 +5
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Parallel theme: Esther 5:11, Job 5:3, Ezekiel 31:18
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Parallel theme: Psalms 37:10, Exodus 15:19
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. Peace: Isaiah 32:17. Parallel theme: Job 1:1, Proverbs 14:32, 2 Peter 1:14
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. Evil: Psalms 9:17, Proverbs 14:32. Parallel theme: Psalms 52:5
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. References Lord: Isaiah 31:5. Faith: 1 Chronicles 5:20, Daniel 3:28, 6:23. Evil: 1 John 5:18. Parallel theme: Isaiah 46:4, Daniel 3:17 +2