PSALM 37 (A psalm of David)

[1] Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

[2] For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

[3] Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

[4] Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

[5] Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

[6] And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

[7] Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

[8] Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

[9] For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

[10] For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

[11] But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

[12] The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

[13] The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

[14] The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.

[15] Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

[16] A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

[17] For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

[18] The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

[19] They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

[20] But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat [4] of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

[21] The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

[22] For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

[23] The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

[24] Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

[25] I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

[26] He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

[27] Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

[28] For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

[29] The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

[30] The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

[31] The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

[32] The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

[33] The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

[34] Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

[35] I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

[36] Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

[37] Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

[38] But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

[39] But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

[40] And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Posted by David Cohen at June 11, 2004 11:39 PM