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Psalms 37:1

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— [[[A Psalm] of David.]] Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— [[[A Psalm] of David.]] Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— [[[A Psalm] of David.]] Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— [[[A Psalm] of David.]] Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, Neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— [[[A Psalm] of David.]] Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— [[[A Psalm] of David.]] Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, and be not envious of them that work unrighteousness;
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— [[David's. [An Alphabetical Psalm.]]] Burn not with vexation because of evil-doers, Be not envious of the workers of perversity;
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— By David. Do not fret because of evil doers, Be not envious against doers of iniquity,
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— Be not emulous of evildoers; nor envy them that work iniquity.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— [[A Psalme of Dauid.]] Fret not thy selfe because of the wicked men, neither be enuious for the euill doers.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— [[A [Psalme] of Dauid.]] Fret not thy selfe because of euill doers, neither bee thou enuious against the workers of iniquitie.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— FRET not because of evildoers, neither be envious of the workers of iniquity,
Brenton Greek Septuagint (LXX, Restored Names)
— [[[A Psalm] of David.]] Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, neither be envious of them that do iniquity.
Full Hebrew Names / Holy Name KJV (2008) [2] [3]
— [[[A Psalm] of Dawid.]] Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

Strong's Numbers & Hebrew NamesHebrew Old TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
[[[A Psalm] of Däwiđ דָּוִד.]] 1732
{1732} Prime
דָּוִד
David
{daw-veed'}
From the same as H1730; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.
Fret y2734
[2734] Standard
חָרָה
charah
{khaw-raw'}
A primitive root (compare H2787); to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy.
z8691
<8691> Grammar
Stem - Hithpael (See H8819)
Mood - Imperfect (See H8811)
Count - 533
not thyself x408
(0408) Complement
אַל
'al
{al}
A negative particle (akin to H3808); not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing.
x2734
(2734) Complement
חָרָה
charah
{khaw-raw'}
A primitive root (compare H2787); to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy.
because of evildoers, 7489
{7489} Prime
רָעַע
ra`a`
{raw-ah'}
A primitive root; properly to spoil (literally by breaking to pieces); figuratively to make (or be) good for nothing, that is, bad (physically, socially or morally). (associate selves and show self friendly are by mistake for H7462.).
z8688
<8688> Grammar
Stem - Hiphil (See H8818)
Mood - Participle (See H8813)
Count - 857
neither x408
(0408) Complement
אַל
'al
{al}
A negative particle (akin to H3808); not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing.
be thou envious 7065
{7065} Prime
קָנָא
qana'
{kaw-naw'}
A primitive root; to be (causatively make) zealous, that is, (in a bad sense) jealous or envious.
z8762
<8762> Grammar
Stem - Piel (See H8840)
Mood - Imperfect (See H8811)
Count - 2447
against the workers 6213
{6213} Prime
עָשָׂה
`asah
{aw-saw'}
A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.
z8802
<8802> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Participle Active (See H8814)
Count - 5386
of iniquity. 5766
{5766} Prime
עֶוֶל
`evel
{eh'-vel}
From H5765; (moral) evil.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Psalms 37:1-2

_ _ Psalms 37:1-40. A composed and uniform trust in God and a constant course of integrity are urged in view of the blessedness of the truly pious, contrasted in various aspects with the final ruin of the wicked. Thus the wisdom and justice of God’s providence are vindicated, and its seeming inequalities, which excite the cavils of the wicked and the distrust of the pious, are explained. David’s personal history abundantly illustrates the Psalm.

_ _ The general sentiment of the whole Psalm is expressed. The righteous need not be vexed by the prosperity of the wicked; for it is transient, and their destiny undesirable.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

Psalms 37:1-6

_ _ The instructions here given are very plain; much need not be said for the exposition of them, but there is a great deal to be done for the reducing of them to practice, and there they will look best.

_ _ I. We are here cautioned against discontent at the prosperity and success of evil-doers (Psalms 37:1, Psalms 37:2): Fret not thyself, neither be thou envious. We may suppose that David speaks this to himself first, and preaches it to his own heart (in his communing with that upon his bed), for the suppressing of those corrupt passions which he found working there, and then leaves it in writing for instruction to others that might be in similar temptation. That is preached best, and with most probability of success, to others, which is first preached to ourselves. Now, 1. When we look abroad we see the world full of evil-doers and workers of iniquity, that flourish and prosper, that have what they will and do what they will, that live in ease and pomp themselves and have power in their hands to do mischief to those about them. So it was in David's time; and therefore, if it is so still, let us not marvel at the matter, as though it were some new or strange thing. 2. When we look within we find ourselves tempted to fret at this, and to be envious against these scandals and burdens, these blemishes and common nuisances, of this earth. We are apt to fret at God, as if he were unkind to the world and unkind to his church in permitting such men to live, and prosper, and prevail, as they do. We are apt to fret ourselves with vexation at their success in their evil projects. We are apt to envy them the liberty they take in getting wealth, and perhaps by unlawful means, and in the indulgence of their lusts, and to wish that we could shake off the restraints of conscience and do so too. We are tempted to think them the only happy people, and to incline to imitate them, and to join ourselves with them, that we may share in their gains and eat of their dainties; and this is that which we are warned against: Fret not thyself, neither be thou envious. Fretfulness and envy are sins that are their own punishments; they are the uneasiness of the spirit and the rottenness of the bones; it is therefore in kindness to ourselves that we are warned against them. Yet that is not all; for, 3. When we look forward with an eye of faith we shall see no reason to envy wicked people their prosperity, for their ruin is at the door and they are ripening apace for it, Psalms 37:2. They flourish, but as the grass, and as the green herb, which nobody envies nor frets at. The flourishing of a godly man is like that of a fruitful tree (Psalms 1:3), but that of the wicked man is like grass and herbs, which are very short-lived. (1.) They will soon wither of themselves. Outward prosperity is a fading thing, and so is the life itself to which it is confined. (2.) They will sooner be cut down by the judgments of God. Their triumphing is short, but their weeping and wailing will be everlasting.

_ _ II. We are here counselled to live a life on confidence and complacency in God, and that will keep us from fretting at the prosperity of evil-doers; if we do well for our own souls, we shall see little reason to envy those that do so ill for theirs. Here are three excellent precepts, which we are to be ruled by, and, to enforce them, three precious promises, which we may rely upon.

_ _ 1. We must make God our hope in the way of duty and then we shall have a comfortable subsistence in this world, Psalms 37:3. (1.) It is required that we trust in the Lord and do good, that we confide in God and conform to him. The life of religion lies much in a believing reliance on God, his favour, his providence, his promise, his grace, and a diligent care to serve him and our generation, according to his will. We must not think to trust in God and then live as we list. No; it is not trusting God, but tempting him, if we do not make conscience of our duty to him. Nor must we think to do good, and then to trust to ourselves, and our own righteousness and strength. No; we must both trust in the Lord and do good. And then, (2.) It is promised that we shall be well provided for in this world: So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. He does not say, “So shalt thou get preferment, dwell in a palace, and be feasted.” This is not necessary; a man's life consists not in the abundance of these things; but, “Thou shalt have a place to live in, and that in the land, in Canaan, the valley of vision, and thou shalt have food convenient for thee.” This is more than we deserve; it is as much as a good man will stipulate for (Genesis 28:20) and it is enough for one that is going to heaven. “Thou shalt have a settlement, a quiet settlement, and a maintenance, a comfortable maintenance: Verily thou shalt be fed.” Some read it, Thou shalt be fed by faith, as the just are said to live by faith, and it is good living, good feeding, upon the promises. “Verily thou shalt be fed, as Elijah in the famine, with what is needful for thee.” God himself is a shepherd, a feeder, to all those that trust in him, Psalms 23:1.

_ _ 2. We must make God our heart's delight and then we shall have our heart's desire, Psalms 37:4. We must not only depend upon God, but solace ourselves in him. We must be well pleased that there is a God, that he is such a one as he has revealed himself to be, and that he is our God in covenant. We must delight ourselves in his beauty, bounty, and benignity; our souls must return to him, and repose in him, as their rest, and their portion for ever. Being satisfied of his loving-kindness, we must be satisfied with it, and make that our exceeding joy, Psalms 43:4. We were commanded (Psalms 37:3) to do good, and then follows this command to delight in God, which is as much a privilege as a duty. If we make conscience of obedience to God, we may then take the comfort of a complacency in him. And even this pleasant duty of delighting in God has a promise annexed to it, which is very full and precious, enough to recompense the hardest services: He shall give thee the desires of thy heart. He has not promised to gratify all the appetites of the body and the humours of the fancy, but to grant all the desires of the heart, all the cravings of the renewed sanctified soul. What is the desire of the heart of a good man? It is this, to know, and love, and live to God, to please him and to be pleased in him.

_ _ 3. We must make God our guide, and submit in every thing to his guidance and disposal; and then all our affairs, even those that seem most intricate and perplexed, shall be made to issue well and to our satisfaction, Psalms 37:5, Psalms 37:6. (1.) The duty is very easy; and, if we do it aright, it will make us easy: Commit thy way unto the Lord; roll thy way upon the Lord (so the margin reads it), Proverbs 16:3; Psalms 55:22. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, the burden of thy care, 1 Peter 5:7. We must roll it off ourselves, so as not to afflict and perplex ourselves with thoughts about future events (Matthew 6:25), not to cumber and trouble ourselves either with the contrivance of the means or with expectation of the end, but refer it to God, leave it to him by his wise and good providence to order and dispose of all our concerns as he pleases. Retreat thy way unto the Lord (so the Septuagint), that is, “By prayer spread thy case, and all thy cares about it, before the Lord” (as Jephthah uttered all his words before the Lord in Mizpeh, Judges 11:11), “and then trust in him to bring it to a good issue, with a full satisfaction that all is well that God does.” We must do our duty (that must be our care) and then leave the event with God. Sit still, and see how the matter will fall, Ruth 3:18. We must follow Providence, and not force it, subscribe to Infinite Wisdom and not prescribe. (2.) The promise is very sweet. [1.] In general, “He shall bring that to pass, whatever it is, which thou hast committed to him, if not to thy contrivance, yet to thy content. He will find means to extricate thee out of thy straits, to prevent thy fears, and bring about thy purposes, to thy satisfaction.” [2.] In particular, “He will take care of thy reputation, and bring thee out of thy difficulties, not only with comfort, but with credit and honour: He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light and thy judgment as the noon-day.” (Psalms 37:6), that is, “he shall make it to appear that thou art an honest man, and that is honour enough.” First, It is implied that the righteousness and judgment of good people may, for a time, be clouded and eclipsed, either by remarkable rebukes of Providence (Job's great afflictions darkened his righteousness) or by the malicious censures and reproaches of men, who give them bad names which they no way deserve, and lay to their charge things which they know not. Secondly, It is promised that God will, in due time, roll away the reproach they are under, clear up their innocency, and bring forth their righteousness, to their honour, perhaps in this world, at furthest in the great day, Matthew 13:43. Note, If we take care to keep a good conscience, we may leave it to God to take care of our good name.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Psalms 37:1

Fret not — Because they prosper in their wicked enterprizes.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

Psalms 37:1

"[A Psalm] of David." Fret not (a) thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

(a) He admonishes us neither to vex ourselves for the prosperous estate of the wicked, or to desire to be like them to make our estate better.

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
(Title), This is the third alphabetical Psalm. It seems to have been intended as an instructive and consoling ode for the captives in Babylon, who might feel themselves severely tempted when they saw those idolaters in prosperity, and themselves in adversity.

Fret:

Psalms 37:7 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.
1 Samuel 1:6-8 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. ... Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? [am] not I better to thee than ten sons?
Proverbs 19:3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
Proverbs 24:1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
Proverbs 24:19 Fret not thyself because of evil [men], neither be thou envious at the wicked;

neither:

Psalms 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Proverbs 3:31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Proverbs 23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but [be thou] in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
James 4:5-6 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? ... But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

1S 1:6. Ps 37:7; 73:3. Pv 3:31; 19:3; 23:17; 24:1, 19. Ga 5:21. Jm 4:5.

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