Psalms Chapter 37 — Wisdom for the Righteous
This psalm contrasts the temporary success of evildoers with the lasting inheritance promised to those who trust in God. It encourages patience, righteousness, and reliance on divine justice.
1Don’t fret because of evildoers,
2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
3Trust in the LORD, and do good.
4Also delight yourself in the LORD,
5Commit your way to the LORD.
6he will make your righteousness shine out like light,
7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him.
8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.
9For evildoers shall be cut off,
10For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more.
11But the humble shall inherit the land,
12The wicked plots against the just,
13The Lord will laugh at him,
14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow,
15Their sword shall enter into their own heart.
16Better is a little that the righteous has,
17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
18The LORD knows the days of the perfect.
19They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil.
20But the wicked shall perish.
21The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back,
22For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land.
23A man’s steps are established by the LORD.
24Though he stumble, he shall not fall,
25I have been young, and now am old,
26All day long he deals graciously, and lends.
27Depart from evil, and do good.
28For the LORD loves justice,
29The righteous shall inherit the land,
30The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom.
31The law of his God is in his heart.
32The wicked watch the righteous,
33The LORD will not leave him in his hand,
34Wait for the LORD, and keep his way,
35I have seen the wicked in great power,
36But he passed away, and behold, he was not.
37Mark the perfect man, and see the upright,
38As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together.
39But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD.
40The LORD helps them and rescues them.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Psalm 37:4
“Also delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
This verse emphasizes finding joy in God as the foundation for receiving His blessings.
Psalm 37:11
“But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
This verse highlights the reward of humility and is famously echoed in the New Testament Beatitudes.
Psalm 37:23
“A man’s steps are established by the LORD. He delights in his way.”
It provides assurance that God actively guides and supports the lives of the faithful.
Chapter Summary
Psalm 37 is a wisdom poem attributed to David that addresses the tension between the prosperity of the wicked and the struggles of the righteous. The text repeatedly advises readers not to worry or grow angry over evildoers, noting that their influence is fleeting like grass that soon withers. Instead, the psalmist emphasizes a lifestyle of trust, delighting in the Lord, and committing one's ways to Him. The chapter promises that the humble and the righteous will eventually inherit the land, while those who practice deceit or violence will face destruction. It highlights the security of the righteous, noting that even if they stumble, they will not fall because the Lord upholds them. The passage concludes by affirming that salvation comes from the Lord, who provides a refuge and help for those who seek Him despite the plots of the wicked.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main message is to trust in God's justice and timing rather than being frustrated by the success of evildoers. It reassures the righteous that while the wicked may prosper temporarily, their influence is fleeting, while the faithful will be sustained.
In this context, the humble are those who wait patiently for the Lord and keep His way despite the presence of wickedness. They are contrasted with the arrogant and violent who seek to harm others for their own gain.
To commit one's way involves entrusting one's life, decisions, and future to God's guidance. The text promises that when a person does this, God will act on their behalf and make their righteousness shine like the light.
Study Note
Psalm 37 is an acrostic poem in the original Hebrew, where every other verse begins with a successive letter of the alphabet.
Related Chapters
Psalm 1
Like Psalm 37, this chapter contrasts the path of the righteous with the path of the wicked.
Matthew 5
The promise that the humble shall inherit the land is quoted by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
Psalm 73
This psalm also explores the struggle of seeing the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer.
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