Psalms 37
Psalm 37
Instruction in Wisdom
Of David.
1Do not be agitated by evildoers; do not envy those who do wrong.23For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender green plants.4
5Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely.6
7Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.8
9Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act,10
11making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday.12
13Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the person who carries out evil plans.14
15Refrain from anger and give up your rage; do not be agitated — it can only bring harm.16
17For evildoers will be destroyed, but those who put their hope in the Lord will inherit the land.18
19A little while, and the wicked person will be no more; though you look for him, he will not be there.20
21But the humble will inherit the land and will enjoy abundant prosperity.22
23The wicked person schemes against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him.24
25The Lord laughs at him because he sees that his day is coming.26
27The wicked have drawn the sword and strung the bow to bring down the poor and needy and to slaughter those whose way is upright.28
29Their swords will enter their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.30
31The little that the righteous person has is better than the abundance of many wicked people.32
33For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord supports the righteous.34
35The Lord watches over the blameless all their days, and their inheritance will last forever.36
37They will not be disgraced in times of adversity; they will be satisfied in days of hunger.38
39But the wicked will perish; the Lord’s enemies, like the glory of the pastures, will fade away — they will fade away like smoke.40
41The wicked person borrows and does not repay, but the righteous one is gracious and giving.42
43Those who are blessed by the Lord will inherit the land, but those cursed by him will be destroyed.44
45A person’s steps are established by the Lord, and he takes pleasure in his way.46
47Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord supports him with his hand.48
49I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread.50
51He is always generous, always lending, and his children are a blessing.52
53Turn away from evil, do what is good, and settle permanently.54
55For the Lord loves justice and will not abandon his faithful ones. They are kept safe forever, but the children of the wicked will be destroyed.56
57The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it permanently.58
59The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom; his tongue speaks what is just.60
61The instruction of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter.62
63The wicked one lies in wait for the righteous and intends to kill him;64
65the Lord will not leave him in the power of the wicked one or allow him to be condemned when he is judged.66
67Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. You will watch when the wicked are destroyed.68
69I have seen a wicked, violent person well-rooted, like a flourishing native tree.70
71Then I passed by and noticed he was gone; I searched for him, but he could not be found.72
73Watch the blameless and observe the upright, for the person of peace will have a future.74
75But transgressors will all be eliminated; the future of the wicked will be destroyed.76
77The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord, their refuge in a time of distress.78
79The Lord helps and delivers them; he will deliver them from the wicked and will save them because they take refuge in him.80