AllPsalms
37

Don't Fret Because of Evildoers

40 versesWisdom and TrustThe heading attributes it to David

Psalm 37 summary: what it means

Psalm 37 is a long answer to one problem: people who do wrong and seem to do well. It opens by saying don't fret and don't envy them, because they will wither like grass. The rest of the psalm reads as a series of short sayings rather than a story. Some tell the reader what to do: trust, delight, commit, rest, wait. Others set the future of the wicked against the future of the righteous.

The phrase inherit the land returns again and again, for those who wait, for the humble and for the righteous. Late in the psalm the speaker draws on a long life, saying they have been young and are now old and have not seen the righteous forsaken. It ends with the LORD as a stronghold in trouble, rescuing those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 37: Don't Fret Because of Evildoers

World English Bible, public domain. allpsalms.com/psalm-37

Psalm 37 commentary: explained verse by verse

Don’t fret because of evildoers,neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.

The psalm's first advice is not to fret. It names two reactions to evildoers, worry and envy, and warns against both.

Also read Proverbs 23:17, Proverbs 24:1, 1 Samuel 1:6-8, James 4:5-6

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

The reason given is time. The wicked are like grass and green herbs, which look healthy for a while and are soon cut down and wither.

Also read Psalm 92:7, Psalm 129:5-7, James 1:10-11, Psalm 37:35-36

Trust in the LORD, and do good.Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.

Also read Jeremiah 17:7-8, Isaiah 50:10, Hebrews 6:10-12, Isaiah 1:16-19

Also delight yourself in the LORD,and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. The promise comes straight after verse 3's call to trust and do good, and the psalm keeps the two together.

Also read Job 22:26, 1 John 5:14-15, Job 27:10, Psalm 43:4

Commit your way to the LORD.Trust also in him, and he will do this:

Commit your way to the LORD asks the reader to put their path in God's hands and trust him. The sentence runs on into verse 6, which says what he will do.

Also read Job 22:28, Lamentations 3:37, Ecclesiastes 9:1, Psalm 55:22

he will make your righteousness shine out like light,and your justice as the noon day sun.

What God will do is bring the person's righteousness into the open. It will shine like light and like the sun at noon, so a doubted cause becomes plain to see.

Also read Isaiah 54:17, Isaiah 58:10, Matthew 13:43, Job 11:17

Rest 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.

Rest and wait patiently are the psalm's answer to fretting. The verse names what makes fretting tempting: the person who prospers while carrying out wicked plots.

Also read Psalm 62:5, Joshua 10:12, Psalm 50:8, James 5:7-11

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing.

The advice now reaches anger: cease from anger, forsake wrath, don't fret. The reason is that fretting leads only to evildoing, so the psalm treats it as a first step toward doing wrong oneself.

Also read Ephesians 4:31, Luke 9:54-55, Proverbs 16:32, Jonah 4:1

For evildoers shall be cut off,but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.

Here the contrast that runs through the psalm is stated plainly. Evildoers will be cut off, while those who wait for the LORD will inherit the land.

Also read Psalm 25:13, Job 27:13-23, Isaiah 57:13, Isaiah 58:14

For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more.Yes, though you look for his place, he isn’t there.

Yet a little while puts the problem on a timeline. The verse says a day will come when you look for the wicked person's place and find it empty.

Also read Psalm 52:5, 2 Kings 9:25, Hebrews 10:36-37, Psalm 49:10

But the humble shall inherit the land,and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

The humble shall inherit the land. They will delight in an abundance of peace, which is the opposite of the fretting the psalm began with.

Also read Isaiah 57:18-21, Galatians 5:22-23, Psalm 72:7, James 1:21

The wicked plots against the just,and gnashes at him with his teeth.

The psalm does not pretend the wicked are harmless. They plot against the just and gnash their teeth at them.

Also read Matthew 26:4, Micah 2:1, 2 Samuel 15:10-12, 1 Samuel 23:7-9

The Lord will laugh at him,for he sees that his day is coming.

The wicked man of verse 12 plots and gnashes his teeth, but the Lord laughs at him. The reason given is that he sees his day is coming. The plotting does not trouble God, because he can already see how it ends.

Also read 1 Samuel 26:10, Ezekiel 21:25, Jeremiah 50:27, Psalm 2:4

The 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.

The threat turns violent. The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy and to kill those who are upright on the path. Verse 15 answers at once: their sword shall enter their own heart. The KJV ends with such as be of upright conversation.

Also read Psalm 35:10, Acts 12:11, Proverbs 29:10, Habakkuk 1:13

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

Also read Isaiah 37:38, Psalm 35:8, Psalm 76:3-6, Esther 7:9-10

Better is a little that the righteous has,than the abundance of many wicked.

Also read Proverbs 16:8, Ecclesiastes 2:26, Proverbs 15:16-17, Ecclesiastes 4:6

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,but the LORD upholds the righteous.

Strength is broken on one side and supported on the other. The arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

Also read Job 38:15, Psalm 63:8, Psalm 145:14, Psalm 119:116-117

The LORD knows the days of the perfect.Their inheritance shall be forever.

The LORD knows the days of the perfect, the blameless people the psalm keeps describing. Their inheritance, which the psalm elsewhere calls the land, shall be forever. The KJV reads The LORD knoweth the days of the upright.

Also read Psalm 103:17, Revelation 11:3-5, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 1 Peter 1:4-5

They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil.In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

Also read Amos 5:13, Ecclesiastes 9:12, Proverbs 10:3, Ephesians 5:16

But the wicked shall perish.The enemies of the LORD shall be like the beauty of the fields.They will vanish—vanish like smoke.

The wicked are compared to things that do not last. In the WEB the enemies of the LORD are like the beauty of the fields, and they vanish like smoke. The KJV reads as the fat of lambs, and says they consume away into smoke.

Also read Luke 13:5, Leviticus 3:16, Deuteronomy 29:20, Psalm 92:9

The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back,but the righteous give generously.

Also read Isaiah 58:7-10, Hebrews 13:16, Psalm 112:5, 2 Corinthians 8:9

For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land.Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.

This verse sums up two outcomes. Those blessed by the LORD inherit the land, and those cursed by him are cut off. The promise to inherit the land also comes in verses 9, 11, 29 and 34. The KJV says shall inherit the earth.

Also read Proverbs 3:33, Psalm 119:21, Galatians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 16:22

A man’s steps are established by the LORD.He delights in his way.

A person's steps are established by the LORD, and he delights in that person's way. The King James Version words it: The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD.

Also read Hebrews 13:16, Job 23:11-12, Psalm 147:10-11, Proverbs 11:1

Though he stumble, he shall not fall,for the LORD holds him up with his hand.

The promise is not that the person will never stumble. It is that a stumble will not become a fall, because the LORD holds them up with his hand.

Also read Luke 22:60-62, Psalm 34:19-20, Luke 22:31-32, John 10:27-30

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

The speaker speaks from age: I have been young, and now am old. Their testimony is that in all that time they have not seen the righteous forsaken, or their children begging for bread.

Also read Job 15:23, Psalm 71:9, Psalm 59:15, Psalm 25:13

All day long he deals graciously, and lends.His offspring is blessed.

The righteous person of verse 25 is shown in action. All day long he deals graciously and lends, and his offspring is blessed. This answers verse 21, where the wicked borrow and do not pay back. The KJV says he is ever merciful, and lendeth.

Also read Psalm 112:9, Psalm 147:13, Luke 6:35-38, Deuteronomy 15:8-10

Depart from evil, and do good.Live securely forever.

The psalm repeats the command found in Psalm 34:14: depart from evil, and do good. Here the promise attached is to live securely forever. The KJV reads Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

Also read Proverbs 16:17, Titus 3:8, 2 Timothy 2:19, Titus 3:14

For the LORD loves justice,and doesn’t forsake his saints.They are preserved forever,but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

The LORD loves justice and does not forsake his saints. The verse sets their being preserved forever against the children of the wicked being cut off.

Also read Psalm 21:10, John 15:9, Isaiah 61:8, Psalm 92:13-15

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

Also read Psalm 37:9, Deuteronomy 30:20, Revelation 21:3-4, 2 Peter 3:13

The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom.His tongue speaks justice.

Having spoken of giving and lending, the psalm turns to speech. The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom and his tongue speaks justice. Verse 31 goes on to say where these words come from.

Also read Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 27:9, Colossians 4:6, Proverbs 15:7

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

The source of the righteous person's words is named here: the law of his God is in his heart. Because of that, none of his steps shall slide. What is inside shapes both his speech in verse 30 and his walking in this verse.

Also read Psalm 73:2, Psalm 1:2, Deuteronomy 11:18-20, Psalm 119:11

The wicked watch the righteous,and seek to kill him.

The danger to the righteous is not played down. The wicked watch him and seek to kill him, a picture of someone waiting for a chance. Verse 33 gives the answer, and the two verses belong together.

Also read Acts 9:24, Luke 20:20, Luke 14:1, Luke 6:7

The LORD will not leave him in his hand,nor condemn him when he is judged.

This answers the threat of verse 32. The LORD will not leave the righteous in the hand of the wicked, and will not condemn him when he is judged. Even when he stands before a judge, the verdict is not left to his enemies.

Also read Psalm 109:31, 2 Timothy 4:17, 2 Peter 2:9, 1 Samuel 23:26-28

Wait 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.

Also read Psalm 37:7, 1 Peter 1:7, Proverbs 4:25-27, Psalm 112:9

I have seen the wicked in great power,spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.

The speaker reports something he has seen for himself: a wicked man in great power, spreading like a green tree in its native soil. It is a picture of strength and settled success. The KJV has like a green bay tree, and verse 36 says he then passed away.

Also read Ezekiel 31:18, Ezekiel 31:6-10, Job 5:3, Job 21:7-17

But he passed away, and behold, he was not.Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.

Also read Acts 12:22-23, Isaiah 10:33-34, Isaiah 10:16-19, Exodus 15:9-10

Mark the perfect man, and see the upright,for there is a future for the man of peace.

The reader is told to watch the blameless and the upright. In the WEB the reason is that there is a future for the man of peace. The KJV reads for the end of that man is peace. Both set this against verse 38, where the future of the wicked is cut off.

Also read Luke 2:25-29, Isaiah 32:17, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Job 42:12-17

As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together.The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

This verse is the other side of verse 37. Transgressors shall be destroyed together, and the future of the wicked shall be cut off. The KJV has the end of the wicked shall be cut off, matching its wording of the verse before.

Also read Psalm 9:17, Matthew 13:49-50, Psalm 1:4-6, Psalm 73:17

But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD.He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

The closing verses name the source of rescue. The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD, and he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The verse does not say trouble will not come, only that he is a stronghold within it. The KJV calls him their strength.

Also read Psalm 91:15, 2 Timothy 4:17, Psalm 9:9, Jonah 2:9

The LORD helps them and rescues them.He rescues them from the wicked and saves them,because they have taken refuge in him.

The psalm ends with a run of verbs: the LORD helps, rescues, rescues again and saves. The reason given is simple: they have taken refuge in him. The KJV reads because they trust in him.

Also read Daniel 3:28, Daniel 3:17, Psalm 17:13, 1 John 5:18

A prayer from Psalm 37

LORD, when I see evildoers prosper, keep me from fretting and from envy. Help me trust in you and do good. Let me delight myself in you, and I commit my way to you. Teach me to rest in you and wait patiently, and to let go of anger. My steps are established by you. When I stumble, hold me up with your hand. Put your law in my heart, so that my steps do not slide. You know my days. Be my stronghold in the time of trouble, for I take refuge in you. Amen.

Psalm 37 Bible study questions

  1. In verses 1, 7 and 8, the psalm tells the reader not to fret; what reasons does it give each time?
  2. In verse 25, what does the speaker say he has and has not seen over a lifetime?
  3. Verse 4 links delighting in the LORD with the desires of the heart; how might delighting in someone change what you desire?
  4. Verse 16 says a little with righteousness is better than the abundance of the wicked; where do you meet that choice in everyday life?
  5. Psalm 73:3 describes envy at the prosperity of the wicked; how does it compare with the warning in Psalm 37:1?

Questions about Psalm 37

What does Psalm 37 mean?

It is advice for anyone troubled that wrongdoers prosper: do not fret or envy them, trust the LORD and do good, and wait. It repeats that the wicked will not last and that those who wait for the LORD will inherit the land.

Who wrote Psalm 37?

The heading attributes it to David. In verse 25 the speaker describes themselves as having been young and now being old.

What does Psalm 37:4 mean?

It says that if you delight yourself in the LORD, he will give you the desires of your heart. It sits between calls to trust, do good and commit your way to him, and is read alongside them.

What does Psalm 37:7 mean in the KJV?

The KJV reads "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." It tells the reader to wait on God rather than be upset by people who prosper through wicked plans.

What do Psalm 37:10 and 11 say?

Verse 10 says that in a little while the wicked will be gone and their place will be empty. Verse 11 says the humble will inherit the land and delight in an abundance of peace.

How does the King James Version word Psalm 37:23 to 25?

The KJV reads "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."

Psalm 37 KJV: the King James Version

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.1

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.2

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.3

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.4

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.5

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.6

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.7

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.8

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.9

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.10

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.11

The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.12

The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.13

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.14

Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.15

A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.16

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.17

The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.18

They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.19

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.20

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.21

For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.22

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.23

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.24

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.25

He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.26

Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.27

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.28

The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.29

The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.30

The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.31

The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.32

The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.33

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.34

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.35

Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.36

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.37

But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.38

But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.39

And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.40

Psalm 37 in Hebrew

The Hebrew text from the Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain. Verse numbers follow the Hebrew Bible, which counts a psalm's heading as verse 1, so they can run one ahead of English Bibles.

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1 לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ אַל־תִּתְחַ֥ר בַּמְּרֵעִ֑ים אַל־תְּ֝קַנֵּ֗א בְּעֹשֵׂ֥י עַוְלָֽה׃

2 כִּ֣י כֶ֭חָצִיר מְהֵרָ֣ה יִמָּ֑לוּ וּכְיֶ֥רֶק דֶּ֝֗שֶׁא יִבּוֹלֽוּן׃

3 בְּטַ֣ח בַּֽ֭יהוָה וַעֲשֵׂה־ט֑וֹב שְׁכָן־אֶ֝֗רֶץ וּרְעֵ֥ה אֱמוּנָֽה׃

4 וְהִתְעַנַּ֥ג עַל־יְהוָ֑ה וְיִֽתֶּן־לְ֝ךָ֗ מִשְׁאֲלֹ֥ת לִבֶּֽךָ׃

5 גּ֣וֹל עַל־יְהוָ֣ה דַּרְכֶּ֑ךָ וּבְטַ֥ח עָ֝לָ֗יו וְה֣וּא יַעֲשֶֽׂה׃

6 וְהוֹצִ֣יא כָא֣וֹר צִדְקֶ֑ךָ וּ֝מִשְׁפָּטֶ֗ךָ כַּֽצָּהֳרָֽיִם׃

7 דּ֤וֹם ׀ לַיהוָה֮ וְהִתְח֪וֹלֵ֫ל ל֥וֹ אַל־תִּ֭תְחַר בְּמַצְלִ֣יחַ דַּרְכּ֑וֹ בְּ֝אִ֗ישׁ עֹשֶׂ֥ה מְזִמּֽוֹת׃

8 הֶ֣רֶף מֵ֭אַף וַעֲזֹ֣ב חֵמָ֑ה אַל־תִּ֝תְחַ֗ר אַךְ־לְהָרֵֽעַ׃

9 כִּֽי־מְ֭רֵעִים יִכָּרֵת֑וּן וְקֹוֵ֥י יְ֝הוָ֗ה הֵ֣מָּה יִֽירְשׁוּ־אָֽרֶץ׃

10 וְע֣וֹד מְ֭עַט וְאֵ֣ין רָשָׁ֑ע וְהִתְבּוֹנַ֖נְתָּ עַל־מְקוֹמ֣וֹ וְאֵינֶֽנּוּ׃

11 וַעֲנָוִ֥ים יִֽירְשׁוּ־אָ֑רֶץ וְ֝הִתְעַנְּג֗וּ עַל־רֹ֥ב שָׁלֽוֹם׃

12 זֹמֵ֣ם רָ֭שָׁע לַצַּדִּ֑יק וְחֹרֵ֖ק עָלָ֣יו שִׁנָּֽיו׃

13 אֲדֹנָ֥י יִשְׂחַק־ל֑וֹ כִּֽי־רָ֝אָ֗ה כִּֽי־יָבֹ֥א יוֹמֽוֹ׃

14 חֶ֤רֶב ׀ פָּֽתְח֣וּ רְשָׁעִים֮ וְדָרְכ֪וּ קַ֫שְׁתָּ֥ם לְ֭הַפִּיל עָנִ֣י וְאֶבְי֑וֹן לִ֝טְב֗וֹחַ יִשְׁרֵי־דָֽרֶךְ׃

15 חַ֭רְבָּם תָּב֣וֹא בְלִבָּ֑ם וְ֝קַשְּׁתוֹתָ֗ם תִּשָּׁבַֽרְנָה׃

16 טוֹב־מְ֭עַט לַצַּדִּ֑יק מֵ֝הֲמ֗וֹן רְשָׁעִ֥ים רַבִּֽים׃

17 כִּ֤י זְרוֹע֣וֹת רְ֭שָׁעִים תִּשָּׁבַ֑רְנָה וְסוֹמֵ֖ךְ צַדִּיקִ֣ים יְהוָֽה׃

18 יוֹדֵ֣עַ יְ֭הוָה יְמֵ֣י תְמִימִ֑ם וְ֝נַחֲלָתָ֗ם לְעוֹלָ֥ם תִּהְיֶֽה׃

19 לֹֽא־יֵ֭בֹשׁוּ בְּעֵ֣ת רָעָ֑ה וּבִימֵ֖י רְעָב֣וֹן יִשְׂבָּֽעוּ׃

20 כִּ֤י רְשָׁעִ֨ים ׀ יֹאבֵ֗דוּ וְאֹיְבֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה כִּיקַ֣ר כָּרִ֑ים כָּל֖וּ בֶעָשָׁ֣ן כָּֽלוּ׃

21 לֹוֶ֣ה רָ֭שָׁע וְלֹ֣א יְשַׁלֵּ֑ם וְ֝צַדִּ֗יק חוֹנֵ֥ן וְנוֹתֵֽן׃

22 כִּ֣י מְ֭בֹרָכָיו יִ֣ירְשׁוּ אָ֑רֶץ וּ֝מְקֻלָּלָ֗יו יִכָּרֵֽתוּ׃

23 מֵ֭יְהוָה מִֽצְעֲדֵי־גֶ֥בֶר כּוֹנָ֗נוּ וְדַרְכּ֥וֹ יֶחְפָּֽץ׃

24 כִּֽי־יִפֹּ֥ל לֹֽא־יוּטָ֑ל כִּֽי־יְ֝הוָ֗ה סוֹמֵ֥ךְ יָדֽוֹ׃

25 נַ֤עַר ׀ הָיִ֗יתִי גַּם־זָ֫קַ֥נְתִּי וְֽלֹא־רָ֭אִיתִי צַדִּ֣יק נֶעֱזָ֑ב וְ֝זַרְע֗וֹ מְבַקֶּשׁ־לָֽחֶם׃

26 כָּל־הַ֭יּוֹם חוֹנֵ֣ן וּמַלְוֶ֑ה וְ֝זַרְע֗וֹ לִבְרָכָֽה׃

27 ס֣וּר מֵ֭רָע וַעֲשֵׂה־ט֗וֹב וּשְׁכֹ֥ן לְעוֹלָֽם׃

28 כִּ֤י יְהוָ֨ה ׀ אֹ֘הֵ֤ב מִשְׁפָּ֗ט וְלֹא־יַעֲזֹ֣ב אֶת־חֲ֭סִידָיו לְעוֹלָ֣ם נִשְׁמָ֑רוּ וְזֶ֖רַע רְשָׁעִ֣ים נִכְרָֽת׃

29 צַדִּיקִ֥ים יִֽירְשׁוּ־אָ֑רֶץ וְיִשְׁכְּנ֖וּ לָעַ֣ד עָלֶֽיהָ׃

30 פִּֽי־צַ֭דִּיק יֶהְגֶּ֣ה חָכְמָ֑ה וּ֝לְשׁוֹנ֗וֹ תְּדַבֵּ֥ר מִשְׁפָּֽט׃

31 תּוֹרַ֣ת אֱלֹהָ֣יו בְּלִבּ֑וֹ לֹ֖א תִמְעַ֣ד אֲשֻׁרָיו׃

32 צוֹפֶ֣ה רָ֭שָׁע לַצַּדִּ֑יק וּ֝מְבַקֵּ֗שׁ לַהֲמִיתוֹ׃

33 יְ֭הוָה לֹא־יַעַזְבֶ֣נּוּ בְיָד֑וֹ וְלֹ֥א יַ֝רְשִׁיעֶ֗נּוּ בְּהִשָּׁפְטֽוֹ׃

34 קַוֵּ֤ה אֶל־יְהוָ֨ה ׀ וּשְׁמֹ֬ר דַּרְכּ֗וֹ וִֽ֭ירוֹמִמְךָ לָרֶ֣שֶׁת אָ֑רֶץ בְּהִכָּרֵ֖ת רְשָׁעִ֣ים תִּרְאֶֽה׃

35 רָ֭אִיתִי רָשָׁ֣ע עָרִ֑יץ וּ֝מִתְעָרֶ֗ה כְּאֶזְרָ֥ח רַעֲנָֽן׃

36 וַ֭יַּֽעֲבֹר וְהִנֵּ֣ה אֵינֶ֑נּוּ וָֽ֝אֲבַקְשֵׁ֗הוּ וְלֹ֣א נִמְצָֽא׃

37 שְׁמָר־תָּ֭ם וּרְאֵ֣ה יָשָׁ֑ר כִּֽי־אַחֲרִ֖ית לְאִ֣ישׁ שָׁלֽוֹם׃

38 וּֽ֭פֹשְׁעִים נִשְׁמְד֣וּ יַחְדָּ֑ו אַחֲרִ֖ית רְשָׁעִ֣ים נִכְרָֽתָה׃

39 וּתְשׁוּעַ֣ת צַ֭דִּיקִים מֵיְהוָ֑ה מָֽ֝עוּזָּ֗ם בְּעֵ֣ת צָרָֽה׃

40 וַֽיַּעְזְרֵ֥ם יְהוָ֗ה וַֽיְפַ֫לְּטֵ֥ם יְפַלְּטֵ֣ם מֵ֭רְשָׁעִים וְיוֹשִׁיעֵ֑ם כִּי־חָ֥סוּ בֽוֹ׃

Psalm 37 in the Catholic Douay-Rheims Bible

The Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain. It follows the Greek and Latin numbering, so this psalm is Psalm 36 there.

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1 A psalm for David himself. Be not emulous of evildoers; nor envy them that work iniquity.

2 For they shall shortly wither away as grass, and as the green herbs shall quickly fall.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good, and dwell in the land, and thou shalt be fed with its riches.

4 Delight in the Lord, and he will give thee the requests of thy heart.

5 Commit thy way to the Lord, and trust in him, and he will do it.

6 And he will bring forth thy justice as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7 Be subject to the Lord and pray to him Envy not the man who prospereth in his way; the man who doth unjust things.

8 Cease from anger, and leave rage; have no emulation to do evil.

9 For the evildoers shall be cut off: but they that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the land.

10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: and thou shalt seek his place, and shalt not find it.

11 But the meek shall inherit the land, and shall delight in abundance of peace.

12 The sinner shall watch the just man: and shall gnash upon him with his teeth.

13 But the Lord shall laugh at him: for he foreseeth that his day shall come.

14 The wicked have drawn out the sword: they have bent their bow. To cast down the poor and needy, to kill the upright of heart.

15 Let their sword enter into their own hearts, and let their bow be broken.

16 Better is a little to the just, than the great riches of the wicked.

17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken in pieces; but the Lord strengtheneth the just.

18 The Lord knoweth the days of undefiled; and their inheritance shall be for ever.

19 They shall not be confounded in the evil time; and in the days of famine they shall be filled:

20 Because the wicked shall perish. And the enemies of the Lord, presently after they shall be honoured and exalted, shall come to nothing and vanish like smoke.

21 The sinner shall borrow, and not pay again; but the just sheweth mercy and shall give.

22 For such as bless him shall inherit the land: but such as curse him shall perish.

23 With the Lord shall the steps of a man be directed, and he shall like well his way.

24 When he shall fall he shall not be bruised, for the Lord putteth his hand under him.

25 I have been young, and now am old; and I have not seen the just forsaken, nor his seed seeking bread.

26 He sheweth mercy, and lendeth all the day long; and his seed shall be in blessing.

27 Decline from evil and do good, and dwell for ever and ever.

28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and will not forsake his saints: they shall be preserved for ever. The unjust shall be punished, and the seed of the wicked shall perish.

29 But the just shall inherit the land, and shall dwell therein for evermore.

30 The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom: and his tongue shall speak judgment.

31 The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps shall not be supplanted.

32 The wicked watcheth the just man, and seeketh to put him to death,

33 But the Lord will not leave in his hands; nor condemn him when he shall be judged.

34 Expect the Lord and keep his way: and he will exalt thee to inherit the land: when the sinners shall perish thou shalt see.

35 I have seen the wicked highly exalted, and lifted up like the cedars of Libanus.

36 And I passed by, and lo, he was not: and I sought him and his place was not found.

37 Keep innocence, and behold justice: for there are remnants for the peaceable man.

38 But the unjust shall be destroyed together: the remnants of the wicked shall perish.

39 But the salvation of the just is from the Lord, and he is their protector in the time of trouble.

40 And the Lord will help them and deliver them: and he will rescue them from the wicked, and save them, because they have hoped in him.

Psalm 37 in Latin

The Clementine Vulgate, public domain, where this psalm is Psalm 36.

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1 Psalmus ipsi David. Noli æmulari in malignantibus, neque zelaveris facientes iniquitatem:

2 quoniam tamquam fœnum velociter arescent, et quemadmodum olera herbarum cito decident.

3 Spera in Domino, et fac bonitatem; et inhabita terram, et pasceris in divitiis ejus.

4 Delectare in Domino, et dabit tibi petitiones cordis tui.

5 Revela Domino viam tuam, et spera in eo, et ipse faciet.

6 Et educet quasi lumen justitiam tuam, et judicium tuum tamquam meridiem.

7 Subditus esto Domino, et ora eum. Noli æmulari in eo qui prosperatur in via sua; in homine faciente injustitias.

8 Desine ab ira, et derelinque furorem; noli æmulari ut maligneris.

9 Quoniam qui malignantur exterminabuntur; sustinentes autem Dominum, ipsi hæreditabunt terram.

10 Et adhuc pusillum, et non erit peccator; et quæres locum ejus, et non invenies.

11 Mansueti autem hæreditabunt terram, et delectabuntur in multitudine pacis.

12 Observabit peccator justum, et stridebit super eum dentibus suis.

13 Dominus autem irridebit eum, quoniam prospicit quod veniet dies ejus.

14 Gladium evaginaverunt peccatores; intenderunt arcum suum: ut dejiciant pauperem et inopem, ut trucident rectos corde.

15 Gladius eorum intret in corda ipsorum, et arcus eorum confringatur.

16 Melius est modicum justo, super divitias peccatorum multas:

17 quoniam brachia peccatorum conterentur: confirmat autem justos Dominus.

18 Novit Dominus dies immaculatorum, et hæreditas eorum in æternum erit.

19 Non confundentur in tempore malo, et in diebus famis saturabuntur:

20 quia peccatores peribunt. Inimici vero Domini mox ut honorificati fuerint et exaltati, deficientes quemadmodum fumus deficient.

21 Mutuabitur peccator, et non solvet; justus autem miseretur et tribuet:

22 quia benedicentes ei hæreditabunt terram; maledicentes autem ei disperibunt.

23 Apud Dominum gressus hominis dirigentur, et viam ejus volet.

24 Cum ceciderit, non collidetur, quia Dominus supponit manum suam.

25 Junior fui, etenim senui; et non vidi justum derelictum, nec semen ejus quærens panem.

26 Tota die miseretur et commodat; et semen illius in benedictione erit.

27 Declina a malo, et fac bonum, et inhabita in sæculum sæculi:

28 quia Dominus amat judicium, et non derelinquet sanctos suos: in æternum conservabuntur. Injusti punientur, et semen impiorum peribit.

29 Justi autem hæreditabunt terram, et inhabitabunt in sæculum sæculi super eam.

30 Os justi meditabitur sapientiam, et lingua ejus loquetur judicium.

31 Lex Dei ejus in corde ipsius, et non supplantabuntur gressus ejus.

32 Considerat peccator justum, et quærit mortificare eum.

33 Dominus autem non derelinquet eum in manibus ejus, nec damnabit eum cum judicabitur illi.

34 Exspecta Dominum, et custodi viam ejus, et exaltabit te ut hæreditate capias terram: cum perierint peccatores, videbis.

35 Vidi impium superexaltatum, et elevatum sicut cedros Libani:

36 et transivi, et ecce non erat; et quæsivi eum, et non est inventus locus ejus.

37 Custodi innocentiam, et vide æquitatem, quoniam sunt reliquiæ homini pacifico.

38 Injusti autem disperibunt simul; reliquiæ impiorum interibunt.

39 Salus autem justorum a Domino; et protector eorum in tempore tribulationis.

40 Et adjuvabit eos Dominus, et liberabit eos; et eruet eos a peccatoribus, et salvabit eos, quia speraverunt in eo.

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Psalm 37 at a glance

Verses40
Heading in the textBy David.
Attributed toThe heading attributes it to David. In verse 25 the speaker says, I have been young, and now am old.
TypeWisdom and Trust
Number in Greek and Latin BiblesPsalm 36

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Psalm 37 in other translations

This page prints the World English Bible and the King James Version because both are public domain. The NIV, ESV, NKJV, NLT and NASB are under copyright, so they cannot be printed in full here. You can read Psalm 37 in those translations at Bible Gateway.

Where Psalm 37 belongs

Psalms of DavidBook 1 of the Psalms

How this page was made

The psalm text comes from public domain translations and is not edited. The summary, the verse notes and the answers are written for this page from the text of the psalm itself. Where a claim goes beyond the text, it is sourced below.

Sources

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Written by

Lucas Pradella

Last checked 25 September 2026 · How pages are checked

I built AllPsalms because I could not find one site that covered all 150 psalms properly. I am a Christian and a reader of the psalms, not a scholar or a minister. What I can do is the work: put every psalm in one place, in plain English, with the text unedited and every claim sourced.

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