Psalms — Chapter 37

1Of David. Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong.

2For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants.

3Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

4Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

5Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.

6He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun.

7Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes.

8Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm.

9For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

10Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.

11But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity.

12The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them,

13but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming.

14The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

15But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

16Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked.

17For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

18The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their inheritance will last forever.

19In the time of evil they will not be ashamed, and in the days of famine they will be satisfied.

20But the wicked and enemies of the LORD will perish like the glory of the fields. They will vanish; like smoke they will fade away.

21The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving.

22Surely those He blesses will inherit the land, but the cursed will be destroyed.

23The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey.

24Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.

25I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread.

26They are ever generous and quick to lend, and their children are a blessing.

27Turn away from evil and do good, so that you will abide forever.

28For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.

29The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

30The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.

31The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter.

32Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,

33the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned under judgment.

34Wait for the LORD and keep His way, and He will raise you up to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

35I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree,

36yet he passed away and was no more; though I searched, he could not be found.

37Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for posterity awaits the man of peace.

38But the transgressors will all be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.

39The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble.

40The LORD helps and delivers them; He rescues and saves them from the wicked, because they take refuge in Him.

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

2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7Rest 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.

8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

10For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

11But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

12The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

13The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

14The 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.

15Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

18The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

19They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

20But 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.

21The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

22For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

23The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

25I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

26He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

27Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

28For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

29The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

30The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

31The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

32The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

33The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

34Wait 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.

35I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

36Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

37Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

38But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

39But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

40And the LORD shall help them and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

1Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, Neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness.

2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.

3Trust in Jehovah, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on [his] faithfulness.

4Delight thyself also in Jehovah; And he will give thee the desires of thy heart.

5Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass.

6And he will make thy righteousness to go forth as the light, And thy justice as the noon-day.

7Rest in Jehovah, 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.

8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: Fret not thyself, [it tendeth] only to evil-doing.

9For evil-doers shall be cut off; But those that wait for Jehovah, they shall inherit the land.

10For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and he shall not be.

11But the meek shall inherit the land, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

12The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

13The Lord will laugh at him; For he seeth that his day is coming.

14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay such as are upright in the way.

15Their sword shall enter into their own heart, And their bows shall be broken.

16Better is a little that the righteous hath Than the abundance of many wicked.

17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken; But Jehovah upholdeth the righteous.

18Jehovah knoweth the days of the perfect; And their inheritance shall be for ever.

19They shall not be put to shame in the time of evil; And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

20But the wicked shall perish, And the enemies of Jehovah shall be as the fat of lambs: They shall consume; In smoke shall they consume away.

21The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again; But the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth.

22For such as are blessed of him shall inherit the land; And they that are cursed of him shall be cut off.

23A man`s goings are established of Jehovah; And he delighteth in his way.

24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For Jehovah upholdeth him with his hand.

25I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread.

26All the day long he dealeth graciously, and lendeth; And his seed is blessed.

27Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell for evermore.

28For Jehovah loveth justice, And forsaketh not his saints; They are preserved for ever: But the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

29The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell therein for ever.

30The mouth of the righteous talketh of wisdom, And his tongue speaketh justice.

31The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.

32The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him.

33Jehovah will not leave him in his hand, Nor condemn him when he is judged.

34Wait for Jehovah, and keep his way, And he will exalt thee to inherit the land: When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

35I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.

36But one passed by, and, lo, he was not: Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

37Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; For there is a [happy] end to the man of peace.

38As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together; The end of the wicked shall be cut off.

39But the salvation of the righteous is of Jehovah; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

40And Jehovah helpeth them, and rescueth them; He rescueth them from the wicked, and saveth them, Because they have taken refuge in him. Psalm 38 A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.

1By David. Do not fret when wicked men seem to succeed. Do not envy evildoers.

2For they will quickly dry up like grass, and wither away like plants.

3Trust in the Lord and do what is right. Settle in the land and maintain your integrity.

4Then you will take delight in the Lord, and he will answer your prayers.

5Commit your future to the Lord. Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf.

6He will vindicate you in broad daylight, and publicly defend your just cause.

7Wait patiently for the Lord! Wait confidently for him! Do not fret over the apparent success of a sinner, a man who carries out wicked schemes.

8Do not be angry and frustrated. Do not fret. That only leads to trouble.

9Wicked men will be wiped out, but those who rely on the Lord are the ones who will possess the land.

10Evil men will soon disappear; you will stare at the spot where they once were, but they will be gone.

11But the oppressed will possess the land and enjoy great prosperity.

12Evil men plot against the godly and viciously attack them.

13The Lord laughs in disgust at them, for he knows that their day is coming.

14Evil men draw their swords and prepare their bows, to bring down the oppressed and needy, and to slaughter those who are godly.

15Their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

16The little bit that a godly man owns is better than the wealth of many evil men,

17for evil men will lose their power, but the Lord sustains the godly.

18The Lord watches over the innocent day by day, and they possess a permanent inheritance.

19They will not be ashamed when hard times come; when famine comes they will have enough to eat.

20But evil men will die; the Lord’s enemies will be incinerated— they will go up in smoke.

21Evil men borrow, but do not repay their debt, but the godly show compassion and are generous.

22Surely those favored by the Lord will possess the land, but those rejected by him will be wiped out.

23The Lord grants success to the one whose behavior he finds commendable.

24Even if he trips, he will not fall headlong, for the Lord holds his hand.

25I was once young, now I am old. I have never seen the godly abandoned, or their children forced to search for food.

26All day long they show compassion and lend to others, and their children are blessed.

27Turn away from evil. Do what is right. Then you will enjoy lasting security.

28For the Lord promotes justice, and never abandons his faithful followers. They are permanently secure, but the children of the wicked are wiped out.

29The godly will possess the land and will dwell in it permanently.

30The godly speak wise words and promote justice.

31The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip.

32The wicked set an ambush for the godly and try to kill them.

33But the Lord does not surrender the godly, or allow them to be condemned in a court of law.

34Rely on the Lord. Obey his commands. Then he will permit you to possess the land; you will see the demise of the wicked.

35I have seen ruthless, wicked people growing in influence, like a green tree grows in its native soil.

36But then one passes by, and suddenly they have disappeared. I looked for them, but they could not be found.

37Take note of the one who has integrity. Observe the upright. For the one who promotes peace has a future.

38Sinful rebels are totally destroyed; the wicked have no future.

39But the Lord delivers the godly; he protects them in times of trouble.

40The Lord helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from the wicked and delivers them, for they seek his protection.

1Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.

2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb.

3Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.

4Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this:

6he will make your righteousness go out as the light, and your justice as the noon day sun.

7Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.

8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret, it leads only to evildoing.

9For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.

10For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn’t there.

11But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

12The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.

13The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming.

14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upright on the path.

15Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken.

16Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked.

17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but Yahweh upholds the righteous.

18Yahweh knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever.

19They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

20But the wicked shall perish. The enemies of Yahweh shall be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish— vanish like smoke.

21The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously.

22For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.

23A man’s goings are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way.

24Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for Yahweh holds him up with his hand.

25I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread.

26All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His offspring is blessed.

27Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever.

28For Yahweh loves justice, and doesn’t forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

29The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.

30The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.

31The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide.

32The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to kill him.

33Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

34Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

35I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.

36But he passed away, and behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.

37Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.

38As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

39But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

40Yahweh helps them, and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, Because they have taken refuge in him.