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Psalms 37

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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.

World English Bible (public domain)

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalms 37:4

Summary

Psalms 37 is an exhortation from David, encouraging believers not to fret over evildoers or envy those who seem to prosper in their wrongdoing. Instead, it emphasizes trusting in the Lord and committing one's way to Him. The chapter underscores the temporary nature of the wicked's success and the eternal security of the righteous. It assures the reader that those who wait patiently for the Lord will inherit the land and enjoy lasting peace. Furthermore, David highlights God's justice and faithfulness, reassuring that the Lord will not forsake His people and will ultimately bring about justice. The chapter contrasts the fleeting success of the wicked with the enduring inheritance and blessing of the righteous, calling believers to live with integrity and in humble dependence on God.

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Chapter outline

How Psalms 37 unfolds

  1. Psalm 37:1–2 Exhortation Against Envy

    The psalmist begins by advising against fretting over evildoers, proclaiming their eventual downfall likened to grass withering.

  2. Psalm 37:3–5 Trust and Delight in Yahweh

    The text encourages trust in Yahweh, committing one's way to Him, and promises that He will fulfill the desires of a heart aligned with Him.

  3. Psalm 37:6–11 The Fate of the Wicked

    Yahweh's justice is assured; the wicked will be cut off, while the humble will inherit the land and experience peace.

  4. Psalm 37:12–18 The Justice of Yahweh

    The psalm contrasts the wicked's plots against the righteous, affirming that Yahweh will protect and uphold the righteous.

  5. Psalm 37:19–26 The Righteous vs. the Wicked

    The text highlights the sustenance of the righteous in times of trouble, emphasizing their generous nature compared to the wicked.

  6. Psalm 37:27–34 Call to Righteous Living

    The psalm stresses living righteously and waiting patiently for Yahweh, promising exaltation and eventual justice.

  7. Psalm 37:35–40 Conclusion: Righteous Salvation

    The psalm concludes by affirming that the righteous will be saved, contrasting their fate with that of the wicked.

Key verses

  • Psalms 37:4Psalms 37:4 succinctly captures the chapter's essence, emphasizing the relationship between delighting in God and receiving His blessings.

Main themes in Psalms 37

Trust in God

Trust in God is emphasized throughout Psalm 37, particularly in verses 3 and 5. The psalmist encourages believers to place their confidence in Yahweh by committing their actions and plans to Him, highlighting the importance of relying on divine guidance and care. This theme serves as a foundation for the chapter's overall movement, which reassures the faithful of God's justice and protection, contrasting the fate of the wicked with the security of the righteous.

Patience and waiting

Patience and waiting for Yahweh are central themes in Psalm 37, notably in verses 7 and 34. The chapter encourages believers to remain steadfast and patient in times of trouble, highlighting that divine justice will ultimately prevail. This theme reinforces the message that true peace and reward come through waiting on God.

The fate of the wicked

The fate of the wicked is starkly portrayed in Psalm 37, especially in verses 9 and 20. The psalmist repeatedly emphasizes that the wicked will face destruction and disappear, contrasting their temporary success with the permanence of the righteous. This theme serves to encourage the faithful to remain firm in righteousness despite the apparent prosperity of evildoers.

The reward of the righteous

The reward of the righteous is a prominent theme in Psalm 37, encapsulated in verses 11 and 29. The text assures that the righteous will inherit the land and experience peace, contrasting their fate with that of the wicked. This theme emphasizes God's faithfulness to those who live righteously, assuring them of lasting blessings.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Psalms 37

Study questions

Questions for studying Psalms 37

  1. What does the psalmist say about the fate of the wicked in verse 2?
  2. How does the call to trust in Yahweh manifest in verses 3 and 4?
  3. What contrast is drawn between the righteous and the wicked in verses 21 and 22?
  4. In what ways does verse 25 reflect the psalmist's personal experience?
  5. How are patience and waiting for Yahweh developed in verses 7 and 34?
  6. What implications does the inheritance of the land have for the righteous in this psalm?
  7. How does the imagery of the wicked in verses 35-36 relate to the overall message of the psalm?

Psalms 37: frequently asked questions

What is Psalms 37 about?+
Psalms 37 is an exhortation from David, encouraging believers not to fret over evildoers or envy those who seem to prosper in their wrongdoing. Instead, it emphasizes trusting in the Lord and committing one's way to Him. The chapter underscores the temporary nature of the wicked's success and the eternal security of the righteous. It assures the reader that those who wait patiently for the Lord will inherit the land and enjoy lasting peace. Furthermore, David highlights God's justice and faithfulness, reassuring that the Lord will not forsake His people and will ultimately bring about justice. The chapter contrasts the fleeting success of the wicked with the enduring inheritance and blessing of the righteous, calling believers to live with integrity and in humble dependence on God.
What is the key verse in Psalms 37?+
Psalms 37:4: "Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
What are the main themes of Psalms 37?+
The main themes of Psalms 37 are Trust in God, Patience and waiting, The fate of the wicked, The reward of the righteous.

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