Psalm 37
Instruction in Wisdom
Of David.
1 Do not be agitated by evildoers;
do not envy those who do wrong. r
2 For they wither quickly like grass
and wilt like tender green plants. s
3 Trust in the LORD and do what is good; t
dwell in the land and live securely. M,u
and he will give you your heart’s desires. v
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act, w
6 making your righteousness shine like the dawn,
your justice like the noonday. x
7 Be silent before the LORD and wait expectantly for him; y
do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way,
by the person who carries out evil plans. z
8 Refrain from anger and give up your rage;
do not be agitated—it can only bring harm. a
9 For evildoers will be destroyed,
but those who put their hope in the LORD
will inherit the land. b
10 A little while, and the wicked person will be no more;
though you look for him, he will not be there. c
11 But the humble will inherit the land d
and will enjoy abundant prosperity. e
12 The wicked person schemes against the righteous
and gnashes his teeth at him. f
13 The Lord laughs at him g
because he sees that his day is coming. h
14 The wicked have drawn the sword and strung the N bow
to bring down the poor and needy
and to slaughter those whose way is upright. i
15 Their swords will enter their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken. j
16 The little that the righteous person has is better
than the abundance of many wicked people. k
17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken, l
but the LORD supports the righteous. m
18 The LORD watches over the blameless all their days,
and their inheritance will last forever. n
19 They will not be disgraced in times of adversity;
they will be satisfied in days of hunger. o
20 But the wicked will perish;
the LORD’S enemies, like the glory of the pastures,
will fade away—
they will fade away like smoke. p
21 The wicked person borrows and does not repay,
but the righteous one is gracious and giving. q
22 Those who are blessed by the LORD will inherit the land,
but those cursed by him will be destroyed. r
23 A person’s steps are established by the LORD,
and he takes pleasure in his way. s
24 Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed,
because the LORD supports him with his hand. t
25 I have been young and now I am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned
or his children begging for bread. u
26 He is always generous, always lending,
and his children are a blessing. v
27 Turn away from evil, do what is good,
and settle permanently. w
and will not abandon his faithful ones. x
They are kept safe forever,
but the children of the wicked will be destroyed. y
29 The righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it permanently. z
30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom;
his tongue speaks what is just. a
31 The instruction of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not falter. b
32 The wicked one lies in wait for the righteous
and intends to kill him; c
33 the LORD will not leave him
in the power of the wicked one
or allow him to be condemned when he is judged. d
34 Wait for the LORD and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land.
You will watch when the wicked are destroyed. e
35 I have seen a wicked, violent person
well-rooted, O like a flourishing native tree. f
36 Then I P passed by and noticed he was gone;
I searched for him, but he could not be found. g
37 Watch the blameless and observe the upright,
for the person of peace will have a future. Q,h
38 But transgressors will all be eliminated;
the future of the wicked will be destroyed. i
39 The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD,
their refuge in a time of distress. j
40 The LORD helps and delivers them;
he will deliver them from the wicked and will save them
because they take refuge in him. k