Psalms 37:7
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.
Original Language Analysis
דּ֤וֹם׀
Rest
H1826
דּ֤וֹם׀
Rest
Strong's:
H1826
Word #:
1 of 11
to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish
לַיהוָה֮
in the LORD
H3068
לַיהוָה֮
in the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְהִתְח֪וֹלֵ֫ל
and wait patiently
H2342
וְהִתְח֪וֹלֵ֫ל
and wait patiently
Strong's:
H2342
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e., (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; fi
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
5 of 11
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּ֭תְחַר
for him fret
H2734
תִּ֭תְחַר
for him fret
Strong's:
H2734
Word #:
6 of 11
to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
בְּמַצְלִ֣יחַ
not thyself because of him who prospereth
H6743
בְּמַצְלִ֣יחַ
not thyself because of him who prospereth
Strong's:
H6743
Word #:
7 of 11
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
דַּרְכּ֑וֹ
in his way
H1870
דַּרְכּ֑וֹ
in his way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
8 of 11
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
בְּ֝אִ֗ישׁ
because of the man
H376
בְּ֝אִ֗ישׁ
because of the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 11
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Cross References
Psalms 27:14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.Psalms 62:5My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.Proverbs 20:22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.Habakkuk 2:3For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.Jeremiah 12:1Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?Isaiah 30:15For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.Psalms 40:1I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.Psalms 62:1Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.Galatians 6:9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.Isaiah 8:17And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
Historical Context
In ancient culture, success was often interpreted as divine blessing. Seeing the wicked prosper while the righteous suffered challenged this theology, requiring deeper faith in God's ultimate justice.
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'resting in the LORD' practically look like when others prosper through evil?
- How can you develop patient waiting without passive resignation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'Rest in the LORD' (Hebrew 'damam,' be still, silent, quiet) and 'wait patiently' emphasize active trust through passive waiting. The repetition of 'fret not' (from v. 1) with specific application—don't fret over the prosperous wicked—intensifies the command. The one who 'prospereth in his way' appears to validate wickedness through success, creating spiritual crisis. Yet God's people must cultivate stillness before God, refusing anxiety's agitation. This rest isn't passivity but confident trust that God governs outcomes.