American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Psalm 37
1
Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be you 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 shall you dwell in the land, and truly you shall be fed.
4
Delight yourself also in the LORD: and he shall give you the desires of your heart.
5
Commit your way to the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6
And he shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday.
7
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.
8
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not yourself in any wise to do evil.
9
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait on the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
10
For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yes, you shall 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 plots against the just, and gnashes on him with his teeth.
13
The LORD shall laugh at him: for he sees 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 has is better than the riches of many wicked.
17
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18
The LORD knows 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 borrows, and pays not again: but the righteous shows mercy, and gives.
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 delights in his way.
24
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholds 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 lends; and his seed is blessed.
27
Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for ever more.
28
For the LORD loves judgment, and forsakes 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 speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of judgment.
31
The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
32
The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks 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 you to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, you shall 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, see, he was not: yes, 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.
Summary of Psalm 37
Psalm 37 is a long wisdom meditation on the apparent success of wicked people and the lasting security of those who trust God, repeatedly encouraging the faithful not to become jealous, angry, or discouraged when dishonest people seem to prosper. Traditionally associated with David and the 10th century BC, the chapter is less focused on one particular crisis and more concerned with a question that has troubled people throughout history: why do people who behave badly sometimes appear to succeed while those who try to live faithfully experience hardship?
The psalm's answer is based on the difference between temporary prosperity and lasting security. David repeatedly compares the success of wicked people to grass, plants, or trees that may flourish for a time but eventually disappear. Their apparent strength should therefore not be mistaken for permanent success, because circumstances can change quickly and human prosperity cannot provide an enduring foundation.
Instead of becoming consumed by anger or jealousy, the faithful are encouraged to trust God, continue doing good, remain faithful, and wait patiently for Him. This patience is not passive resignation but a deliberate refusal to allow the behavior of wicked people to determine one's own character. When injustice appears to succeed, the righteous person is called to remain committed to goodness rather than responding with resentment or destructive behavior.
The chapter repeatedly emphasizes that God sees the difference between genuine righteousness and outward success. He knows the lives and hearts of His people, directs their steps, sustains them when they fall, and does not permanently abandon them during difficult circumstances.
One of the strongest contrasts appears between wealth and generosity. The resources of wicked people may be abundant, yet their wealth provides no lasting security, while the righteous person, even with limited possessions, can demonstrate greater richness through generosity, responsibility, and concern for others.
The psalm also recognizes that faithful people can experience hardship, scarcity, opposition, and failure. Righteousness is therefore not presented as a guarantee of immediate prosperity. Instead, the promise is that God remains present and capable of sustaining those who trust Him through changing circumstances.
David repeatedly returns to the idea of inheritance and permanence. The righteous are associated with a lasting future, stability, peace, and a meaningful legacy, while the wicked may become powerful and influential for a season but ultimately disappear.
The final verses bring the central themes together by describing God as the salvation and strength of the righteous during trouble. Their confidence is based not on the absence of problems but on the conviction that God remains their refuge.
The traditional 10th-century BC Davidic setting fits the chapter's wisdom character, while its themes of wealth, land, justice, inheritance, generosity, and divine protection continued throughout the 10th–5th centuries BC.
The psalm's answer is based on the difference between temporary prosperity and lasting security. David repeatedly compares the success of wicked people to grass, plants, or trees that may flourish for a time but eventually disappear. Their apparent strength should therefore not be mistaken for permanent success, because circumstances can change quickly and human prosperity cannot provide an enduring foundation.
Instead of becoming consumed by anger or jealousy, the faithful are encouraged to trust God, continue doing good, remain faithful, and wait patiently for Him. This patience is not passive resignation but a deliberate refusal to allow the behavior of wicked people to determine one's own character. When injustice appears to succeed, the righteous person is called to remain committed to goodness rather than responding with resentment or destructive behavior.
The chapter repeatedly emphasizes that God sees the difference between genuine righteousness and outward success. He knows the lives and hearts of His people, directs their steps, sustains them when they fall, and does not permanently abandon them during difficult circumstances.
One of the strongest contrasts appears between wealth and generosity. The resources of wicked people may be abundant, yet their wealth provides no lasting security, while the righteous person, even with limited possessions, can demonstrate greater richness through generosity, responsibility, and concern for others.
The psalm also recognizes that faithful people can experience hardship, scarcity, opposition, and failure. Righteousness is therefore not presented as a guarantee of immediate prosperity. Instead, the promise is that God remains present and capable of sustaining those who trust Him through changing circumstances.
David repeatedly returns to the idea of inheritance and permanence. The righteous are associated with a lasting future, stability, peace, and a meaningful legacy, while the wicked may become powerful and influential for a season but ultimately disappear.
The final verses bring the central themes together by describing God as the salvation and strength of the righteous during trouble. Their confidence is based not on the absence of problems but on the conviction that God remains their refuge.
The traditional 10th-century BC Davidic setting fits the chapter's wisdom character, while its themes of wealth, land, justice, inheritance, generosity, and divine protection continued throughout the 10th–5th centuries BC.