Psalm 37 - English Standard Version (ESV)

He Will Not Forsake His Saints

[a] Of David.

37 (A)Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
be not (B)envious of wrongdoers!
2 For they will soon (C)fade like (D)the grass
and wither (E)like the green herb.

3 (F)Trust in the Lord, and do good;
(G)dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.[b]
4 (H)Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will (I)give you the desires of your heart.

5 (J)Commit your way to the Lord;
(K)trust in him, and he will act.
6 (L)He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as (M)the noonday.

7 (N)Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
(O)fret not yourself over the one who (P)prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!

8 (Q)Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
(R)Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9 (S)For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall (T)inherit the land.

10 In (U)just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at (V)his place, he will not be there.
11 But (W)the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in (X)abundant peace.

12 The wicked (Y)plots against the righteous
and (Z)gnashes his teeth at him,
13 but the Lord (AA)laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his (AB)day is coming.

14 The wicked draw the sword and (AC)bend their bows
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose (AD)way is upright;
15 their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their (AE)bows shall be broken.

16 (AF)Better is the little that the righteous has
than the abundance of many wicked.
17 For (AG)the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the Lord (AH)upholds the righteous.

18 The Lord (AI)knows the days of the blameless,
and their (AJ)heritage will remain forever;
19 they are not put to shame in evil times;
in (AK)the days of famine they have abundance.

20 But the wicked will perish;
the enemies of the Lord are like (AL)the glory of the pastures;
they vanish—like (AM)smoke they vanish away.

21 The wicked borrows but does not pay back,
but the righteous (AN)is generous and gives;
22 for those blessed by the Lord[c] shall (AO)inherit the land,
but those cursed by him (AP)shall be cut off.

23 The (AQ)steps of a man are (AR)established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
24 (AS)though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord (AT)upholds his hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children (AU)begging for bread.
26 He is ever (AV)lending generously,
and his children become a blessing.

27 (AW)Turn away from evil and do good;
so shall you (AX)dwell forever.
28 For the Lord (AY)loves justice;
he will not forsake his (AZ)saints.
They are preserved forever,
but the children of the wicked shall be (BA)cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land
and (BB)dwell upon it forever.

30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks justice.
31 (BC)The law of his God is in his heart;
his (BD)steps do not slip.

32 The wicked (BE)watches for the righteous
and seeks to put him to death.
33 The Lord will not (BF)abandon him to his power
or let him (BG)be condemned when he is brought to trial.

34 (BH)Wait for the Lord and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on (BI)when the wicked are cut off.

35 (BJ)I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
spreading himself like (BK)a green laurel tree.[d]
36 But he passed away,[e] and behold, (BL)he was no more;
though I sought him, he could not be found.

37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
for there is a future for the man of (BM)peace.
38 But (BN)transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the future of the wicked (BO)shall be cut off.

39 (BP)The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in (BQ)the time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and (BR)delivers them;
(BS)he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they (BT)take refuge in him.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 37:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each stanza beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet
  2. Psalm 37:3 Or and feed on faithfulness, or and find safe pasture
  3. Psalm 37:22 Hebrew by him
  4. Psalm 37:35 The identity of this tree is uncertain
  5. Psalm 37:36 Or But one passed by

Cross references

  1. Psalm 37:1 : ver. 7, 8; Prov. 24:19
  2. Psalm 37:1 : Ps. 73:3; Prov. 3:31; 23:17; 24:1, 19
  3. Psalm 37:2 : Job 14:2; See Job 27:13-23
  4. Psalm 37:2 : Ps. 90:5, 6
  5. Psalm 37:2 : Ps. 129:6
  6. Psalm 37:3 : Ps. 62:8; 115:9-11; Prov. 3:5; Isa. 26:4
  7. Psalm 37:3 : Lev. 26:5; Prov. 2:21
  8. Psalm 37:4 : Job 22:26; Isa. 58:14; [Phil. 3:1; 4:4]
  9. Psalm 37:4 : Matt. 6:33
  10. Psalm 37:5 : Ps. 22:8; 55:22; Prov. 16:3; 1 Pet. 5:7
  11. Psalm 37:5 : [See ver. 3 above]; Ps. 62:8; 115:9-11; Prov. 3:5; Isa. 26:4
  12. Psalm 37:6 : Isa. 58:8, 10; Mic. 7:9
  13. Psalm 37:6 : Job 11:17
  14. Psalm 37:7 : [Ps. 62:1; Isa. 30:15; Lam. 3:26]
  15. Psalm 37:7 : ver. 1
  16. Psalm 37:7 : Jer. 12:1
  17. Psalm 37:8 : [Eph. 4:26]
  18. Psalm 37:8 : [See ver. 7 above]; ver. 1
  19. Psalm 37:9 : ver. 2, 22
  20. Psalm 37:9 : Ps. 25:13; Prov. 2:21; Isa. 57:13; 60:21
  21. Psalm 37:10 : Job 24:24
  22. Psalm 37:10 : Job 7:10
  23. Psalm 37:11 : Cited Matt. 5:5
  24. Psalm 37:11 : Ps. 119:165; [Isa. 32:17]
  25. Psalm 37:12 : Ps. 31:13
  26. Psalm 37:12 : See Ps. 35:16
  27. Psalm 37:13 : See Ps. 2:4
  28. Psalm 37:13 : See Job 18:20
  29. Psalm 37:14 : Ps. 7:12
  30. Psalm 37:14 : See Ps. 7:10
  31. Psalm 37:15 : See 1 Sam. 2:4
  32. Psalm 37:16 : Prov. 15:16; 16:8; [1 Tim. 6:6]
  33. Psalm 37:17 : Ps. 10:15; Job 38:15; Ezek. 30:21, 22
  34. Psalm 37:17 : ver. 24
  35. Psalm 37:18 : See Ps. 1:6
  36. Psalm 37:18 : ver. 9
  37. Psalm 37:19 : Ps. 33:19; Job 5:20
  38. Psalm 37:20 : [Matt. 6:30; James 1:11]
  39. Psalm 37:20 : Ps. 68:2; 102:3; Hos. 13:3
  40. Psalm 37:21 : ver. 26
  41. Psalm 37:22 : See ver. 9
  42. Psalm 37:22 : ver. 2
  43. Psalm 37:23 : Ps. 25:12; 1 Sam. 2:9
  44. Psalm 37:23 : Ps. 40:2; 119:5
  45. Psalm 37:24 : Prov. 24:16; Mic. 7:8; 2 Cor. 4:9
  46. Psalm 37:24 : ver. 17
  47. Psalm 37:25 : [Ps. 109:10; Job 15:23]
  48. Psalm 37:26 : Ps. 112:5, 9; Deut. 15:8, 10; Matt. 5:42; Luke 6:35
  49. Psalm 37:27 : See Ps. 34:14
  50. Psalm 37:27 : [Ps. 102:28]
  51. Psalm 37:28 : See Ps. 11:7
  52. Psalm 37:28 : See Ps. 16:10
  53. Psalm 37:28 : ver. 2, 9; Ps. 21:10; Prov. 2:22; Isa. 14:20
  54. Psalm 37:29 : [See ver. 27 above]; [Ps. 102:28]
  55. Psalm 37:31 : Ps. 40:8; 119:11; Deut. 6:6; Isa. 51:7; Jer. 31:33; [Rom. 7:22]
  56. Psalm 37:31 : [Ps. 73:2]
  57. Psalm 37:32 : Ps. 10:8
  58. Psalm 37:33 : [2 Pet. 2:9]
  59. Psalm 37:33 : Ps. 109:31
  60. Psalm 37:34 : ver. 9; See Ps. 27:14
  61. Psalm 37:34 : Ps. 52:5, 6; 91:8
  62. Psalm 37:35 : See Job 5:3
  63. Psalm 37:35 : [Ps. 52:8]
  64. Psalm 37:36 : ver. 10; Job 20:5
  65. Psalm 37:37 : ver. 11; Ps. 119:165; Isa. 57:2
  66. Psalm 37:38 : [Ps. 52:5; 104:35; Prov. 2:22]
  67. Psalm 37:38 : Ps. 73:17; Job 18:17
  68. Psalm 37:39 : See Ps. 3:8
  69. Psalm 37:39 : Ps. 9:9
  70. Psalm 37:40 : [Isa. 31:5; Acts 12:11]
  71. Psalm 37:40 : [1 Chr. 5:20; Dan. 3:17, 28; 6:23]
  72. Psalm 37:40 : See Ps. 11:1

You Might Also Like:

Psalm 37 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

37 By David. Do not fret because of evil doers, Be not envious against doers of iniquity, 2 For as grass speedily they are cut off, And as the greenness of the tender grass do fade. 3 Trust in Jehovah, and do good, Dwell [in] the land, and enjoy faithfulness, 4 And delight thyself on Jehovah, And He...
Read More

Psalm 37 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

37 To David. [The psalm of David.] Do not thou follow wicked men; neither love thou men doing wickedness. (The song of David. Do not thou follow the wicked; nor love thou those who do wickedly.) 2 For they shall wax dry swiftly as hay; and they shall fall down soon as the worts of herbs. (For they s...
Read More

Psalm 37 - World English Bible (WEB)

By David.37 Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb.3 Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.4 Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he ...
Read More

Psalm 37 - The Voice (VOICE)

Psalm 37[a]A song of David.1 Don’t be worried with evil workers or envy the gains of people with all-wrong-upside-down ways.2 Soon enough they will wither like grass, like green herbs fading in summer’s heat. 3 Believe in the Eternal, and do what is good— live in the land He provides; roam, and rest...
Read More

Psalm 37 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Inheritance of the KedoshimPsalm 371 Of David.Do not fret because of evildoers,nor be envious of them who do wrong.2 For like the grass they soon witherand fade like a green herb.3 Trust in Adonai and do good.Dwell in the land, feed on faithfulness.4 Delight yourself in Adonai,and He will give you t...
Read More

Psalm 37 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Exhortation to Patience and TrustA Psalm of David.37 Fret not yourself because of the wicked, be not envious of wrongdoers!2 For they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security.4 Take delight in t...
Read More

Psalm 37 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Exhortation to Patience and TrustA Psalm of David.37 Fret not yourself because of the wicked, be not envious of wrongdoers!2 For they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security.4 Take delight in t...
Read More

Psalm 37 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Psalm 37Exhortation to Patience and TrustOf David.1 Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers,2 for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.4 Take delight in the Lo...
Read More

Psalm 37 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Psalm 37Exhortation to Patience and TrustOf David.1 Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers,2 for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.4 Take delight in the Lo...
Read More

Psalm 37 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Psalm 37Exhortation to Patience and TrustOf David.1 Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers,(A)2 for they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.(B)3 Trust in the Lord and do good; live in the land and enjoy security.(C)4 Take delight in the Lord, and...
Read More

Psalm 37 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 37[a]A psalm of David.1 Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.2 For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your...
Read More

Psalm 37 - New Life Version (NLV)

A Safe Place for Those Who Trust in the Lord37 Do not trouble yourself because of sinful men. Do not want to be like those who do wrong. 2 For they will soon dry up like the grass. Like the green plant they will soon die. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good. So you will live in the land and will be f...
Read More

Psalm 37 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Heritage of the Righteous and the Calamity of the WickedA Psalm of David.37 Do(A) not fret because of evildoers,Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.2 For they shall soon be cut down (B)like the grass,And wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;Dwell in the land, and feed...
Read More

Psalm 37 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Psalm 37[a]Of David.1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will...
Read More

Psalm 37 - New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 37[a]Of David.1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious(A) of those who do wrong;(B)2 for like the grass they will soon wither,(C) like green plants they will soon die away.(D) 3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land(E) and enjoy safe pasture.(F)4 Take delight(G) in ...
Read More

Psalm 37 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Psalm 37A psalm of David.1 Don’t be upset because of sinful people. Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong.2 Like grass, they will soon dry up. Like green plants, they will soon die. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live in the land and enjoy its food.4 Find your delight in the Lord. T...
Read More

Psalm 37 - New English Translation (NET)

Psalm 37[a]By David.37 Do not fret[b] when wicked men seem to succeed.[c]Do not envy evildoers.2 For they will quickly dry up like grass,and wither away like plants.[d]3 Trust in the Lord and do what is right.Settle in the land and maintain your integrity.[e]4 Then you will take delight in the Lord,...
Read More