RSV Psalms 37 Chapter
37:1
A Psalm of David. Fret not yourself because of the wicked, be not envious of wrongdoers!
37:2
For they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb.
37:3
Trust in the LORD, and do good;so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security.
37:4
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
37:5
Commit your way to the LORD;trust in him, and he will act.
37:6
He will bring forth your vindication as the light, and your right as the noonday.
37:7
Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him;fret not yourself over him who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
37:8
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself;it tends only to evil.
37:9
For the wicked shall be cut off;but those who wait for the LORD shall possess the land.
37:10
Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;though you look well at his place, he will not be there.
37:11
But the meek shall possess the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
37:12
The wicked plots against the righteous, and gnashes his teeth at him;
37:13
but the LORD laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.
37:14
The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows, to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those who walk uprightly;
37:15
their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
37:16
Better is a little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.
37:17
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken;but the LORD upholds the righteous.
37:18
The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will abide for ever;
37:19
they are not put to shame in evil times, in the days of famine they have abundance.
37:20
But the wicked perish;the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures, they vanish -- like smoke they vanish away.
37:21
The wicked borrows, and cannot pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;
37:22
for those blessed by the LORD shall possess the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
37:23
The steps of a man are from the LORD, and he establishes him in whose way he delights;
37:24
though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD is the stay of his hand.
37:25
I have been young, and now am old;yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread.
37:26
He is ever giving liberally and lending, and his children become a blessing.
37:27
Depart from evil, and do good;so shall you abide for ever.
37:28
For the LORD loves justice;he will not forsake his saints. The righteous shall be preserved for ever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
37:29
The righteous shall possess the land, and dwell upon it for ever.
37:30
The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
37:31
The law of his God is in his heart;his steps do not slip.
37:32
The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him.
37:33
The LORD will not abandon him to his power, or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.
37:34
Wait for the LORD, and keep to his way, and he will exalt you to possess the land;you will look on the destruction of the wicked.
37:35
I have seen a wicked man overbearing, and towering like a cedar of Lebanon.
37:36
Again I passed by, and, lo, he was no more;though I sought him, he could not be found.
37:37
Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright, for there is posterity for the man of peace.
37:38
But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off.
37:39
The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
37:40
The LORD helps them and delivers them;he delivers them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.