Psalms 37
37
A Song of Wisdom
Poetic praise by King David # 37 Psalm 37 is an acrostic psalm, in which every other verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
1Don’t follow after the wicked ones or be jealous of their wealth.
Don’t think for a moment they’re better off than you.
2They and their short-lived success
will soon shrivel up and quickly fade away,
like grass clippings in the hot sun.
3Keep trusting in the Lord and do what is right in his eyes.
Fix your heart on the promises of God, and you will dwell in the land,
feasting on his faithfulness.
4Find your delight # 37:4 The word delight means “to be soft or tender.” and true pleasure in Yahweh,
and he will give you what you desire the most.
5Give # 37:5 The Hebrew word used here can be translated “commit,” which means “to roll over your burdens on the Lord.” God the right to direct your life,
and as you trust him along the way,
you’ll find he pulled it off perfectly!
6He will appear # 37:6 The Hebrew verb found here is also used for giving birth. Perhaps this is a reference to the birth of Christ, our righteousness. as your righteousness,
as sure as the dawning of a new day.
He will manifest as your justice,
as sure and strong as the noonday sun.
7Quiet your heart in his presence
and wait # 37:7 The root word of the word for “wait” can mean “to whirl” or “to be in labor [give birth].” What an unusual concept for waiting on God. We may feel like we’re being whirled around by our circumstances, but in the end, our season of waiting gives birth to greater things. patiently for Yahweh.
And don’t think for a moment that the wicked, in their prosperity,
are better off than you.
8Stay away from anger and revenge.
Keep envy far from you, for it only leads you into lies.
9For one day the wicked will be destroyed,
but those who trust in the Lord
will inherit the land.
10Just a little while longer and the ungodly will vanish;
you will look for them in vain.
11But the humble of heart will inherit every promise # 37:11 See Matt. 5:5.
and enjoy abundant peace.
12Let the wicked keep plotting against the godly
with all their sneers and arrogant jeers.
13God laughs at the wicked and their plans,
for he knows their day is coming!
14Evil ones take aim at the poor and helpless;
they are ready to slaughter those who do right.
15But the Lord will turn all their weapons of wickedness back on themselves,
piercing their pride-filled hearts until they are helpless.
16It is much better to have little
combined with much of God
than to have the fabulous wealth of the wicked and nothing else.
17For the Lord takes care of all his forgiven ones
while the strength of evil men will surely slip away.
18Day by day the Lord watches the good deeds of the godly,
and he prepares for them his forever-reward.
19Even in a time of disaster he will watch over them,
and they will always have more than enough
no matter what happens.
20All the enemies of God will perish.
For the wicked have only a momentary value, a fading glory.
Then one day they vanish! Here today, gone tomorrow.
21They break their promises, borrowing money
but never paying it back.
The good man returns what he owes with some extra besides.
22Yahweh’s blessed ones receive the land,
but the cursed ones will be cut off
with nothing to show for themselves.
23When Yahweh delights in how you live your life,
he establishes your every step.
24If they stumble badly they will still survive,
for the Lord lifts them up with his hands.
25I was once inexperienced, # 37:25 Or “immature.” The Hebrew word na’ar has a homonym that means “to be driven out,” which may be a reference to David being driven out of Jerusalem by Absalom. but now I’m old.
Not once have I found a lover of God forsaken by him,
nor have any of their children gone hungry.
26Instead, I’ve found the godly ones
to be the generous ones who give freely to others.
Their children are blessed and become a blessing.
27If you truly want to dwell forever in God’s presence,
forsake evil and do what is right in his eyes.
28The Lord loves it when he sees us walking in his justice.
He will never desert his devoted lovers;
they will be kept forever in his faithful care,
but the descendants of the wicked will be banished.
29The faithful lovers of God will inherit the earth
and enjoy every promise of God’s care,
dwelling in peace forever.
30God-lovers make the best counselors.
Their words possess wisdom and are right and trustworthy.
31The ways of God are in their hearts
and they won’t swerve from the paths of steadfast righteousness.
32Evil ones spy on the godly ones, stalking them
to find something they could use to accuse them.
They’re out for the kill!
33But God will foil all their plots.
The godly will not stand condemned when brought to trial.
34So don’t be impatient for Yahweh to act;
keep moving forward steadily in his ways,
and he will exalt you to possess the land.
You’ll watch with your own eyes
and see the wicked lose everything.
35I’ve already seen this happen.
Once I saw a wicked and violent man
overpower all who were around him,
a domineering tyrant with his prideful and oppressive ways.
36Then he died and was forgotten.
Now no one cares that he is gone forever.
37But you can tell who are the blameless and spiritually mature.
What a different story with them!
The godly ones will have a peaceful, prosperous future
with a happy ending.
38Every evil sinner will be destroyed, obliterated.
They’ll be utter failures with no future!
39But the Lord will be the Savior of all who love him.
Even in their time of trouble, God will live in them as strength.
40Because of their faith in him, their daily portion will be
a Father’s help and deliverance from evil.
This is true for all who turn to hide themselves in him!
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Psalms 37: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationPsalms 37
37
The Destiny of the Wicked and of the Good#Ps 37 Hebrew title: By David.
1Don't be worried on account of the wicked;
don't be jealous of those who do wrong.
2They will soon disappear like grass that dries up;
they will die like plants that wither.
3Trust in the LORD and do good;
live in the land and be safe.
4Seek your happiness in the LORD,
and he will give you your heart's desire.
5Give yourself to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will help you;
6he will make your righteousness shine like the noonday sun.
7Be patient and wait for the LORD to act;
don't be worried about those who prosper
or those who succeed in their evil plans.
8Don't give in to worry or anger;
it only leads to trouble.
9Those who trust in the LORD will possess the land,
but the wicked will be driven out.
10Soon the wicked will disappear;
you may look for them, but you won't find them;
11 #
Mt 5.5
the humble will possess the land
and enjoy prosperity and peace.
12The wicked plot against good people
and glare at them with hate.
13But the Lord laughs at wicked people,
because he knows they will soon be destroyed.
14The wicked draw their swords and bend their bows
to kill the poor and needy,
to slaughter those who do what is right;
15but they will be killed by their own swords,
and their bows will be smashed.
16The little that a good person owns
is worth more than the wealth of all the wicked,
17because the LORD will take away the strength of the wicked,
but protect those who are good.
18The LORD takes care of those who obey him,
and the land will be theirs for ever.
19They will not suffer when times are bad;
they will have enough in time of famine.
20But the wicked will die;
the enemies of the LORD will vanish like wild flowers;
they will disappear like smoke.
21The wicked borrow and never pay back,
but good people are generous with their gifts.
22Those who are blessed by the LORD will possess the land,
but those who are cursed by him will be driven out.
23The LORD guides people in the way they should go
and protects those who please him.
24If they fall, they will not stay down,
because the LORD will help them up.
25I am old now; I have lived a long time,
but I have never seen good people abandoned by the LORD
or their children begging for food.
26At all times they give freely and lend to others,
and their children are a blessing.
27Turn away from evil and do good,
and your descendants will always live in the land;
28for the LORD loves what is right
and does not abandon his faithful people.
He protects them for ever,
but the descendants of the wicked will be driven out.
29The righteous will possess the land
and live in it for ever.
30The words of good people are wise,
and they are always fair.
31They keep the law of their God in their hearts
and never depart from it.
32Wicked people watch good people
and try to kill them;
33but the LORD will not abandon them to their enemy's power
or let them be condemned when they are on trial.
34Put your hope in the LORD and obey his commands;
he will honour you by giving you the land,
and you will see the wicked driven out.
35I once knew a wicked and ruthless person;
he towered over everyone like a cedar of Lebanon;#37.35 One ancient translation like a cedar of Lebanon; Hebrew unclear.
36but later I#37.36 Some ancient translations I; Hebrew he. passed by, and he wasn't there;
I looked for him, but couldn't find him.
37Notice good people, observe the righteous;
peaceful people have descendants,
38but sinners are completely destroyed,
and their descendants are wiped out.
39The LORD saves the righteous
and protects them in times of trouble.
40He helps them and rescues them;
he saves them from the wicked,
because they go to him for protection.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.