Psalms 37
The Fate of the Wicked and the Righteous
1Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.
2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb.
3Trust in the LORD, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.
4Also delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5Commit your way to the LORD. Trust also in him, and he will do this:
6he will make your righteousness shine out like light, and your justice as the noon day sun.
7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.
8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing.
9For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.
10For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn’t there.
11But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.
13The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming.
14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upright on the path.
15Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken.
16Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked.
17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18The LORD knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever.
19They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20But the wicked shall perish. The enemies of the LORD shall be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish— vanish like smoke.
21The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously.
22For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.
23A man’s steps are established by the LORD. He delights in his way.
24Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for the LORD holds him up with his hand.
25I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread.
26All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His offspring is blessed.
27Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever.
28For the LORD loves justice, and doesn’t forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.
30The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.
31The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide.
32The wicked watch the righteous, and seek to kill him.
33The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34Wait for the LORD, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
35I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
36But he passed away, and behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.
38As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
40The LORD helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked and saves them, because they have taken refuge in him.
Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm that addresses the perennial problem of why the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous suffer. David counsels believers not to fret or envy evildoers, but instead to trust in the LORD's ultimate justice. The psalm repeatedly contrasts the temporary success of the wicked with the eternal inheritance promised to the righteous, emphasizing that God's justice will ultimately prevail.
Context
This wisdom psalm follows the pattern of other Davidic psalms that wrestle with theodicy, complementing the more personal laments found in surrounding chapters.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-11Don't Fret Over EvildoersOpening counsel to trust God rather than worry about the wicked's temporary prosperity.
- 12-20The Wicked's Self-DestructionDescription of how the wicked plot against the righteous but ultimately face divine judgment.
- 21-31Contrasting LifestylesComparison between the generous, blessed life of the righteous and the fate of the wicked.
- 32-40God's Protection of the RighteousAssurance that the LORD will not abandon the righteous despite persecution from the wicked.
The Fate of the Wicked and the Righteous
37:1–37:40A wisdom psalm instructing the faithful not to envy evildoers but to trust in the Lord, promising that the wicked will perish while the righteous will inherit the land. It emphasizes patience, trust, and righteous living.
theme_rarity
Psalm 37 uniquely interweaves "inheritance" (appearing 5 times) with calls for patient waiting, creating the Bible's only extended meditation linking territorial promise with emotional restraint.
Psalms 37:1
Proverbs 24:19lexicalDon’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;
Psalms 37:8
1 Samuel 18:8lexicalSaul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have credited David with ten thousands, and they hav…
Numbers 11:10lexicalMoses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent; and the LORD’s anger burned…
2 Kings 23:26lexicalNotwithstanding, the LORD didn’t turn from the fierceness of his great wrath, with which his anger burned against Judah,…
Judges 6:39lexicalGideon said to God, “Don’t let your anger be kindled against me, and I will speak but this once. Please let me make a tr…
Deuteronomy 31:17lexicalThen my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and…
Psalms 37:12
Psalms 112:10lexicalThe wicked will see it, and be grieved. He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away. The desire of the wicked will peri…
Job 16:9lexicalHe has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me…
Psalms 35:16lexicalLike the profane mockers in feasts, they gnashed their teeth at me.
Lamentations 2:16lexicalAll your enemies have opened their mouth wide against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth. They say, “We have swallowed…
Psalms 37:14
Psalms 11:2lexicalFor, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the up…
Proverbs 31:9lexicalOpen your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
Deuteronomy 15:11lexicalFor the poor will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your…
Proverbs 30:14lexicalThere is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and th…
Zechariah 9:13lexicalFor indeed I bend Judah as a bow for me. I have loaded the bow with Ephraim. I will stir up your sons, Zion, against you…
Psalms 37:17
Psalms 10:15lexicalBreak the arm of the wicked. As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none.
Job 38:15lexicalFrom the wicked, their light is withheld. The high arm is broken.
Psalms 37:21
Proverbs 19:17lexicalHe who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; he will reward him.
Proverbs 11:31lexicalBehold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
Psalms 37:23
Proverbs 20:24lexicalA man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
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