Psalms — Chapter 37

Of David. א Do not be vexed by evildoers;do not be incensed by wrongdoers;

for they soon wither like grass,like verdure fade away.

ב Trust in GOD and do good,abide in the land and remain loyal.

Seek GOD’s favor,and you will be granted the desires of your heart.

ג Leave allaall Lit. “your way.” to GOD;be trusting; [God] will do it—

causing your vindication to shine forth like the light,the justice of your case, like the noonday sun.

ד Be patient and wait for GOD,do not be vexed by the one who is prospering—the opponent who carries out schemes.

ה Give up anger, abandon fury,do not be vexed;it can only do harm.

For evildoers will be cut off,but those who look to GOD—they shall inherit the land.

ו A little longer and there will be no wicked;you will look at where they were—they will be gone.

But the lowly shall inherit the land,and delight in abundant well-being.

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

My Sovereign laughs at them,knowing that their day will come.

ח The wicked draw their swords, bend their bows,to bring down the lowly and needy,to slaughter the upright.bthe upright Lit. “those whose way is upright.”

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

ט Better the little that a righteous person hasthan the great abundance of the wicked.

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,but GOD is the support of the righteous.

י GOD is concerned for the needscneeds Lit. “days.” of the blameless;their portion lasts forever;

they shall not come to grief in bad times;in famine, they shall eat their fill.

כ But the wicked shall perish,and GOD’s enemies shall be consumed,like meadow grassdmeadow grass Meaning of Heb. uncertain. consumed in smoke.

ל The wicked borrow and do not repay;the righteous are generous and keep giving.

Those blessed by [God] shall inherit the land,but those who are cursed shall be cut off.

מ People’s stepsePeople’s steps Or “[Even] the steps of virile men.” are made firm by GOD,when their way is a delight to [God].

Though they stumble, they do not fall down,for GOD gives them support.

נ I have been young and am now old,but I have never seen someone righteous abandoned,or their children seeking bread.

They are always generous, and lend,and their children are held blessed.

ס Shun evil and do good,and you shall abide forever.

For GOD loves what is right,and does not abandon those who are faithful.They are preserved forever,while the children of the wicked will be cut off.

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

פ The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,and their tongue speaks what is right.

The teaching of their God is in their heart;their feet do not slip.

צ The wicked watch for the righteous,seeking to put them to death;

GOD will not abandon them to their power,and will not let them be condemned in judgment.

ק Look to GOD and keep to the godly way,and you will be raised high that you may inherit the land;when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

ר I saw the wicked, powerful,well-rooted like a robust native tree.

Suddenly they vanished and were gone;I sought them, but they were not to be found.

ש Mark the blameless, note the upright,for there is a future for the person of integrity.

But transgressors shall be utterly destroyed,the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

ת The deliverance of the righteous comes from GOD,their stronghold in time of trouble.

GOD helps them and rescues them,rescues them from the wicked and delivers them,for in [God] they seek refuge.