NRSV Psalms 37 Chapter
37:1
Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be 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 live 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 make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
37:7
Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.
37:8
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret-- it leads only to evil.
37:9
For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.
37:10
Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
37:11
But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
37:12
The wicked plot against the righteous, and gnash their teeth at them;
37:13
but the LORD laughs at the wicked, for he sees that their day is coming.
37:14
The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to kill 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 person 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 forever;
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, and the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish-- like smoke they vanish away.
37:21
The wicked borrow, and do not pay back, but the righteous are generous and keep giving;
37:22
for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
37:23
Our steps are made firm by the LORD, when he delights in our way;
37:24
though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the LORD holds us by the hand.
37:25
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
37:26
They are ever giving liberally and lending, and their children become a blessing.
37:27
Depart from evil, and do good; so you shall abide forever.
37:28
For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his faithful ones. The righteous shall be kept safe forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
37:29
The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.
37:30
The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak justice.
37:31
The law of their God is in their hearts; their steps do not slip.
37:32
The wicked watch for the righteous, and seek to kill them.
37:33
The LORD will not abandon them to their power, or let them be condemned when they are brought to trial.
37:34
Wait for the LORD, and keep to his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on the destruction of the wicked.
37:35
I have seen the wicked oppressing, and towering like a cedar of Lebanon.
37:36
Again I passed by, and they were no more; though I sought them, they could not be found.
37:37
Mark the blameless, and behold the upright, for there is posterity for the peaceable.
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 rescues them; he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.