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Illustration for Psalm 37: Do Not Fret

Psalm 37

Do Not Fret

WisdomCourage

Have you ever felt upset when someone unkind seems to get away with things? This psalm says: don't worry about it! Trust in God and do good — and in time He will make everything right. The meek will inherit the earth!

  1. 1Do not fret because of evildoers; do not be envious of those who do wrong.
  2. 2For like the grass they will soon wither; like green plants they will soon die away.
  3. 3Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
  4. 4Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
  5. 5Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this:
  6. 6He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
  7. 7Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
  8. 8Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret— it leads only to evil.
  9. 9For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
  10. 10A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.
  11. 11But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
  12. 12The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;
  13. 13but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He knows their day is coming.
  14. 14The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.
  15. 15But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
  16. 16Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;
  17. 17for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
  18. 18The blameless spend their days under the LORD's care, and their inheritance will endure forever.
  19. 19In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
  20. 20But the wicked will perish: Though the LORD's enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
  21. 21The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;
  22. 22those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those He curses will be destroyed.
  23. 23The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him;
  24. 24though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand.
  25. 25I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
  26. 26They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.
  27. 27Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
  28. 28For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish.
  29. 29The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.
  30. 30The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.
  31. 31The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.
  32. 32The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death;
  33. 33but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
  34. 34Hope in the LORD and keep His way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.
  35. 35I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,
  36. 36but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.
  37. 37Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.
  38. 38But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked.
  39. 39The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble.
  40. 40The LORD helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him.

What it means

Don't get upset when people who do wrong seem to be winning — it doesn't last. Instead, trust God, keep doing good, be patient, and find your delight in Him.

A little prayer

Lord, help me not to worry when others do wrong. I'll trust You and keep doing good — and find my delight in You. Make me still and patient. Amen.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)