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Christianity

Psalms 37Fret Not Because of Evildoers

Summary

Psalm 37 is a wisdom acrostic urging readers not to envy or fret over the prosperity of the wicked, who will wither like grass. It counsels trust, delight in the LORD, commitment of one's way and patient waiting. Repeatedly it promises that the meek and the righteous will inherit the land, while the wicked will be cut off. An aged voice says he has never seen the righteous forsaken. It is traditionally ascribed to David.

Key verse

“Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

Psalms 37:4

Themes

  • Patience
  • Envy of the Wicked
  • The Meek Inherit
  • Trust

Text

1

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

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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

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.

8

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

9

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

11

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

12

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

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.

15

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

16

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

17

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

18

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

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.

21

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

22

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

23

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

24

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

25

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

26

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

27

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

28

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

29

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

30

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

31

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

32

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

33

The LORD 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.

35

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

36

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

37

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

38

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

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.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

  • Islam

    Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21): My Righteous Slaves Will Inherit

    Quran 21:105 says, we have written in the Scripture, after the Reminder: My righteous slaves will inherit the earth. The Arabic names the Zabur, which Muslims associate with the Psalms of David, and the line closely matches Psalm 37:29. It is often cited as a Quranic link to a specific psalm.

  • Christianity

    Matthew 5: The Meek Shall Inherit

    The beatitude Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5) closely follows Psalm 37:11.

  • Judaism

    Tehillim 37 in the JPS 1917 Tanakh

    Jewish readers have long turned to this psalm for consolation when the wicked seem to prosper, and its verse about having been young and now old is widely quoted.

Questions about Psalms 37

Does the Quran quote the Psalms?

Quran 21:105 mentions the Zabur, which Muslims associate with the Psalms of David, saying the righteous will inherit the earth, which corresponds closely to Psalm 37:29. The Quran also says God gave David the Psalms (4:163, 17:55).

What does Delight thyself also in the LORD mean?

Psalm 37:4 teaches that finding one's joy in God aligns the heart's desires with what God gives. Interpreters caution against reading it as a promise of any wish granted.

Who will inherit the earth according to Psalm 37?

The meek (37:11), those who wait on the LORD (37:9) and the righteous (37:29). The Hebrew word can mean either the land of Israel or the earth.