Read & explore together
Delight Yourself in the LORD
Psalm 37 is a song for times when wicked people seem to do well. It tells the listener not to fret or envy, but to trust Yahweh, do good, wait for him, and take refuge in him.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
This psalm speaks in contrasts between the wicked and the righteous. It uses poetic images such as grass that withers, light at noon, broken weapons, smoke that vanishes, and a tree that cannot be found, to show that wicked success is brief while Yahweh sustains his people.
Psalms 37:1–40Main takeaway
When evil seems strong, Psalm 37 calls God’s people to trust Yahweh, keep doing good, and wait for his justice and rescue.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Do not fret or envyThe psalm opens with a warning not to fret because of evildoers or envy them, because they fade quickly like cut grass.
Explanation
The psalm opens with a warning not to fret because of evildoers or envy them, because they fade quickly like cut grass. Instead, the reader is told to trust Yahweh, do good, delight in him, and commit their way to him. Yahweh is the one who brings righteousness into the light.
02Wait for Yahweh in peaceThe song repeats the command not to fret when a wicked person prospers through plots. The fitting response is to rest in Yahweh and wait patiently.
Explanation
The song repeats the command not to fret when a wicked person prospers through plots. The fitting response is to rest in Yahweh and wait patiently. Anger and wrath are to be left behind, because fretting leads to wrongdoing. Those who wait for Yahweh, and the humble, are set against evildoers.
03Wicked power will not lastThe psalm does not ignore evil. The wicked plot, threaten, and attack the poor and upright.
Explanation
The psalm does not ignore evil. The wicked plot, threaten, and attack the poor and upright. Yet their violence turns back on them, and their strength is broken. So a little belonging to the righteous is better than much wicked abundance, because Yahweh upholds, knows, and sustains his people.
04The righteous are upheld and rescuedLater lines describe the righteous as generous, wise, and shaped by God’s law in the heart.
Explanation
Later lines describe the righteous as generous, wise, and shaped by God’s law in the heart. Even if they stumble, Yahweh holds them up. The ending returns to the big contrast: wicked power passes away, but there is a future for the man of peace, and salvation belongs to Yahweh, their stronghold and rescuer.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which actions does the psalm give instead of fretting or envying?
List the commands in the opening lines, including trust, do good, delight, and commit your way to Yahweh.
02How does the psalm connect waiting for Yahweh with leaving anger behind?
Notice that resting and waiting are commanded, while fretting is said to lead only to evildoing.
03What pictures show the different futures of the wicked and the righteous?
Compare the wicked fading or disappearing with Yahweh holding up and rescuing the righteous.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 37:1–40
1Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.
2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb.
3Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.
4Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this:
6he will make your righteousness shine out like light, and your justice as the noon day sun.
7Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.
8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing.
9For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.
10For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn’t there.
11But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.
13The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming.
14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upright on the path.
15Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken.
16Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked.
17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but Yahweh upholds the righteous.
18Yahweh knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever.
19They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20But the wicked shall perish. The enemies of Yahweh shall be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish— vanish like smoke.
21The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously.
22For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.
23A man’s steps are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way.
24Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for Yahweh holds him up with his hand.
25I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread.
26All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His offspring is blessed.
27Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever.
28For Yahweh loves justice, and doesn’t forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.
30The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.
31The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide.
32The wicked watch the righteous, and seek to kill him.
33Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
35I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
36But he passed away, and behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.
38As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
40Yahweh helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked and saves them, because they have taken refuge in him.