Psalm 37

Psalm 37 1A psalm of David. Don’t be upset because of sinful people. Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong.

2Like grass, they will soon dry up. Like green plants, they will soon die.

3Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live in the land and enjoy its food.

4Find your delight in the LORD . Then he will give you everything your heart really wants.

5Commit your life to the LORD . Here is what he will do if you trust in him.

6He will make the reward for your godly life shine like the dawn. He will make the proof of your honest life shine like the sun at noon.

7Be still and wait patiently for the LORD to act. Don’t be upset when other people succeed. Don’t be upset when they carry out their evil plans.

8Turn away from anger and don’t give in to wrath. Don’t be upset, because that only leads to evil.

9Sinful people will be destroyed. But those who put their hope in the LORD will receive the land.

10In a little while, there won’t be any more sinners. Even if you look for them, you won’t be able to find them.

11But those who are free of pride will be given the land. They will enjoy peace and success.

12Sinful people make plans to harm those who do what is right. They grind their teeth at them.

13But the Lord laughs at those who do evil. He knows the day is coming when he will judge them.

14Sinners pull out their swords. They bend their bows. They want to kill poor and needy people. They plan to murder those who lead honest lives.

15But they will be killed by their own swords. Their own bows will be broken.

16Those who do what is right may have very little. But it’s better than the wealth of many sinners.

17The power of those who are evil will be broken. But the LORD takes good care of those who do what is right.

18Those who are without blame spend their days in the LORD ’s care. What he has given them will last forever.

19When trouble comes to them, they will have what they need. When there is little food in the land, they will still have plenty.

20But sinful people will die. The LORD ’s enemies may be like flowers in the field. But they will be swallowed up. They will disappear like smoke.

21Sinful people borrow and don’t pay back. But those who are godly give freely to others.

22The LORD will give the land to those he blesses. But he will destroy those he curses.

23The LORD makes secure the footsteps of the person who delights in him,

24Even if that person trips, he won’t fall. The LORD ’s hand takes good care of him.

25I once was young, and now I’m old. But I’ve never seen godly people deserted. I’ve never seen their children begging for bread.

26The godly are always giving and lending freely. Their children will be a blessing.

27Turn away from evil and do good. Then you will live in the land forever.

28The LORD loves those who are honest. He will not desert those who are faithful to him. Those who do wrong will be completely destroyed. The children of sinners will die.

29Those who do what is right will be given the land. They will live in it forever.

30The mouths of those who do what is right speak words of wisdom. They say what is honest.

31God’s law is in their hearts. Their feet do not slip.

32Those who are evil hide and wait for godly people. They want to kill them.

33But the LORD will not leave the godly in their power. He will not let them be found guilty when they are brought into court.

34Put your hope in the LORD . Live as he wants you to. He will honor you by giving you the land. When sinners are destroyed, you will see it.

35I saw a mean and sinful person. He was doing well, like a green tree in its own land.

36But he soon passed away and was gone. Even though I looked for him, I couldn’t find him.

37Consider honest people who are without blame. People who seek peace will have a tomorrow.

38But all sinners will be destroyed. Those who are evil won’t have a tomorrow.

39The LORD saves those who do what is right. He is their place of safety when trouble comes. 40The LORD helps them and saves them. He saves them from sinful people because they go to him for safety.