Psalm 37 is one of the best-known passages in the Bible and offers powerful counsel on how to face the apparent prosperity of the unjust. This psalm is a true fountain of wisdom, urging the faithful to trust in divine justice and remain serene even in the face of earthly injustice.
Throughout this article we will explore the deep meaning of Psalm 37, its central messages, and how to apply its teachings in everyday life.
Psalm 37 in Full
¹ Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of those who practice iniquity.
² For they will soon be cut down like grass and wither like green plants.
³ Trust in the Lord and do good; live in the land and be truly nourished.
⁴ Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will grant you the desires of your heart.
⁵ Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.
⁶ He will make your righteousness shine like the light, your justice like the noonday.
⁷ Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of the one who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out crafty schemes.
⁸ Cease from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it only leads to evil.
⁹ For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait on the Lord shall inherit the land.
¹⁰ Yet a little while and the wicked will be no more; you will look for his place, but it will not be there.
¹¹ But the meek shall inherit the land and enjoy abundant peace.
¹² The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at him.
¹³ The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming.
¹⁴ The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.
¹⁵ But their sword will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
¹⁶ Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked.
¹⁷ For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.
¹⁸ The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their inheritance will endure forever.
¹⁹ They will not be put to shame in times of disaster; in days of famine they will have plenty.
²⁰ But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the Lord will vanish like the beauty of the fields—like smoke they will disappear.
²¹ The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous show mercy and give generously.
²² Those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those He curses will be cut off.
²³ The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.
²⁴ Though he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, for the Lord holds him with His hand.
²⁵ I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
²⁶ They are always generous and lend freely; their children are blessed.
²⁷ Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
²⁸ For the Lord loves justice and will not forsake His faithful ones. They will be kept safe forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.
²⁹ The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.
³⁰ The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.
³¹ The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.
³² The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death.
³³ But the Lord will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
³⁴ Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
³⁵ I have seen a wicked and ruthless man spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil,
³⁶ but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.
³⁷ Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.
³⁸ But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.
³⁹ The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; He is their stronghold in times of trouble.
⁴⁰ The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him.
Complete Explanation of Psalm 37
Psalm 37:1
“Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of those who practice iniquity.”
This verse opens the psalm with a warning against irritation at the success of the wicked. God calls the righteous to calmness, reminding them that the prosperity of the unjust is illusory.
Psalm 37:2
“For they will soon be cut down like grass and wither like green plants.”
The psalmist compares the life of the wicked to something fleeting. The image of grass and greenery shows that their apparent prosperity is fragile and brief.
Psalm 37:3
“Trust in the Lord and do good; live in the land and be truly nourished.”
Trust in God comes with action: doing good. Whoever lives this way will enjoy stability and provision.
Psalm 37:4
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will grant you the desires of your heart.”
Those who find pleasure in God have their desires aligned with the divine will—and these desires are fulfilled.
Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.”
This verse highlights total surrender to God with complete trust. God acts on behalf of those who submit to His plan.
Psalm 37:6
“He will make your righteousness shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday.”
The righteousness of the faithful will be publicly recognized, clear as daylight. God will exalt the righteous at the right time.
Psalm 37:7
“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of the one who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out crafty schemes.”
The psalmist reinforces the need for patience. Even if the crafty seem to prevail, the faithful must rest confidently in God.
Psalm 37:8
“Cease from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it only leads to evil.”
Anger can lead to error. God calls us to calmness so we do not repay evil with evil.
Psalm 37:9
“For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait on the Lord shall inherit the land.”
Here begins the refrain of the inheritance of the righteous. While the wicked will be uprooted, those who trust will gain lasting stability.
Psalm 37:10
“Yet a little while and the wicked will be no more; you will look for his place, but it will not be there.”
The presence of the wicked is temporary. Even though they seem strong now, they will disappear.
Psalm 37:11
“But the meek shall inherit the land and enjoy abundant peace.”
One of the promises most quoted by Jesus. The meek, who trust in God and do not repay with hatred, will receive peace and an inheritance.
Psalm 37:12
“The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at him.”
The wicked scheme against the good with hatred. Yet this surprises neither God nor alters the destiny of the righteous.
Psalm 37:13
“The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming.”
God is not intimidated by the plans of the wicked. He knows that judgment is near.
Psalm 37:14
“The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.”
The wicked arm themselves against the weak and the righteous. This reflects the reality of human injustice.
Psalm 37:15
“But their sword will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.”
The weapons of the wicked will turn against them. God converts evil into judgment upon its practitioners.
Psalm 37:16
“Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked.”
Little with righteousness is better than much with wickedness. Value lies in integrity, not quantity.
Psalm 37:17
“For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.”
The strength of the wicked will fail. The Lord is the one who sustains and strengthens those who pursue good.
Psalm 37:18
“The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their inheritance will endure forever.”
God watches over the times of the righteous. He guarantees an inheritance that cannot be lost.
Psalm 37:19
“They will not be put to shame in times of disaster; in days of famine they will have plenty.”
Even in difficult times, the righteous will have provision. God supplies in the midst of crises.
Psalm 37:20
“But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the Lord will vanish like the fat of lambs—into smoke they will vanish away.”
Another vivid image: the wicked disappear like smoke. They will not withstand God’s justice.
Psalm 37:21
“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous show mercy and give.”
The wicked are dishonest and selfish; the righteous are generous. This reflects a transformed heart.
Psalm 37:22
“Those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those He curses will be cut off.”
The blessing of God is the decisive factor. Whoever is with Him prospers; whoever is not will fall.
Psalm 37:23
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”
God guides and rejoices in the paths of the righteous. There is divine pleasure in obedience.
Psalm 37:24
“Though he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, for the Lord holds him with His hand.”
The righteous also stumble, but they do not remain down. God raises them up.
Psalm 37:25
“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.”
A personal testimony from David: God does not abandon His own.
Psalm 37:26
“They are always generous and lend freely; their children are blessed.”
The righteous are generous, and their family is blessed because of their conduct.
Psalm 37:27
“Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.”
This is a spiritual law: turning from evil and doing good results in eternal security.
Psalm 37:28
“For the Lord loves justice and will not forsake His faithful ones. They will be kept safe forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.”
God is just and cares for those who love Him. The wicked and their descendants, however, will lose everything.
Psalm 37:29
“The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.”
A reaffirmation of the promise: the righteous will have a permanent and secure place.
Psalm 37:30
“The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.”
The speech of the righteous is wise and just, reflecting God’s character.
Psalm 37:31
“The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.”
The righteous live by the Word, which gives them firmness and direction.
Psalm 37:32
“The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death.”
Persecution is real, but it is nullified by God’s protection.
Psalm 37:33
“But the Lord will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial.”
God defends the righteous even when they face human judgment.
Psalm 37:34
“Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.”
Faithfulness to God results in exaltation. The righteous will see justice prevail.
Psalm 37:35
“I have seen a wicked and ruthless man spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.”
David observes the arrogance of the wicked flourishing… for a while.
Psalm 37:36
“But he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.”
The end of the wicked is oblivion. Their glory vanishes without a trace.
Psalm 37:37
“Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.”
Sincerity and uprightness produce a blessed end—true peace.
Psalm 37:38
“But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.”
Judgment is inevitable. Nothing of the wicked will remain.
Psalm 37:39
“The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; He is their stronghold in times of trouble.”
God saves and protects those who trust in Him, especially in difficult hours.
The Context of Psalm 37
Psalm 37 was written by David in his old age, giving the text a more reflective and experienced tone. It is neither a lament nor a direct hymn of praise, but a series of teachings on how the righteous should behave in a world where evil often seems to triumph. With a structure that resembles proverbs, it functions as a conduct manual for those who desire to follow God’s ways with confidence.
A Proverb-Like Style
Unlike more poetic or liturgical psalms, Psalm 37 is composed of short verses that work almost like maxims. Each line presents a moral lesson, a warning, or a promise, making it easy to read, meditate upon, and apply the concepts in daily life.
Acrostic Structure
In the original Hebrew, Psalm 37 is an acrostic—that is, each verse begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This structure not only showcases the literary organization of the text but also aids memorization, a form common in Jewish wisdom literature.
The Central Themes of Psalm 37
Psalm 37 deals with universal human issues such as suffering, the apparent prosperity of the wicked, the hope of the righteous, and the faithfulness of God.
Envy of the Wicked
One of the first pieces of advice is clear: “Do not fret because of evildoers.” Psalm 37 warns that the wicked may seem successful for a time, but their fate is fleeting. The text compares such prosperity to grass that withers, an image that conveys transience and shows how appearances can deceive.
Trust in the Lord
Trust is a fundamental pillar in Psalm 37. Verses such as “Commit your way to the Lord” and “Trust in Him, and He will act” reinforce the importance of divine dependence. The central idea is that hope placed in God is never in vain, even when results are not immediate.
The Reward of the Righteous
The promise that the righteous “will inherit the land” appears several times in Psalm 37. This refrain emphasizes the future reward for those who live with integrity. In contrast to the fate of the wicked, the righteous possess a secure and lasting inheritance.
Key Verses from Psalm 37
Psalm 37 is rich with inspiring verses that have been used throughout history as a source of comfort and spiritual guidance.
Psalm 37:3
“Trust in the Lord and do good; live in the land and be truly nourished.”
This verse connects faith and action. Trust in God must be accompanied by good works. The promise is clear: stability and provision.
Psalm 37:4
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will grant you the desires of your heart.”
An invitation to spiritual pleasure. Delighting in God transforms human desires and aligns them with the divine will. It is a verse often quoted in moments of hope.
Psalm 37:7
“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of the one who prospers in his way.”
This is a call to patience. Indignation is natural, but the psalmist directs us to find rest and trust in God’s timing.
Applying the Teachings of Psalm 37
Psalm 37 is extremely practical. Its advice can be applied in various areas of life.
In Daily Life
When we see injustices in the world, Psalm 37 teaches us not to be destabilized. It reinforces that faithfulness is rewarded in the long run, even when present reality seems the opposite.
At Work and in Business
The market is often dominated by unfair practices. Psalm 37 shows that acting with honesty is an investment of eternal value. True prosperity comes from integrity.
In Moments of Injustice
It is natural to want to retaliate when treated unjustly. However, the psalm teaches that we should leave vengeance in God’s hands, for He is the One who brings justice.
Curiosities about Psalm 37
- Psalm 37 is one of the few acrostics found in the Book of Psalms.
- It contains exactly 40 verses.
- It is frequently quoted in sermons on perseverance and hope.
- Its themes also influenced other biblical writers, such as the authors of Proverbs.
Valuable Lessons from the Psalm
Do Not Worry about the Wicked
The prosperity of the wicked is temporary. Psalm 37 compares this condition to grass that soon dries up. True stability is found in God.
God Sustains the Righteous
Even when they fall, the righteous do not remain down. God is the One who lifts them up and sustains them with His mighty hand.
Eternal Inheritance
The concept of “inheriting the land” symbolizes permanence, blessing, and peace. The righteous have a secured future, even if the present seems uncertain.
Comparisons with Other Psalms
Psalm 37 has clear parallels with other biblical texts.
- Psalm 1 speaks of the righteous as trees planted beside streams of water.
- Psalm 73 addresses the same concern about the prosperity of the wicked.
- In Proverbs 24:19-20 the same advice appears: do not envy the wicked.
Meditating on Psalm 37
Using Psalm 37 as an object of meditation can renew faith and bring peace to an afflicted heart. Many people employ it in devotionals, seeking direction and serenity in times of conflict.
Most Quoted Verses from Psalm 37
- Psalm 37:5 – “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.”
- Psalm 37:23 – “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.”
- Psalm 37:39 – “The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord.”
These verses have served to comfort and strengthen believers through many stages of life.
The Power of Words
Psalm 37 is a declaration of trust. It counters despair with hope, revolt with peace, and uncertainty with faith. Its words have crossed centuries as a reminder that God is just and does not forget those who follow Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “inherit the land” mean in Psalm 37?
It refers to the stability, peace, and security that God promises to the righteous.
Which is the best-known verse of Psalm 37?
Verse 4: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will grant you the desires of your heart.”
How can I use Psalm 37 in daily life?
Read it in moments of doubt, anxiety, or injustice. It calms and guides.
Does Psalm 37 talk about revenge?
No. It instructs the faithful to wait on God and not retaliate with their own hands.
Is it correct to use Psalm 37 as a prayer?
Yes. Its words can be adapted into a sincere plea for trust, peace, and hope.
READ ALSO:
- Psalm 34 Study Explained: A Journey of Praise
- Psalm 36: A Contrast Between Human Wickedness and Divine Mercy
- Psalm 33: An Invitation to Trust and Praise God
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