Logos Bible Study

Psalm 37:title–4

The NET BibleOther versions

English

Arabic

Czech

French

German

Hebrew

Hungarian

Italian

Korean

Latin

Portuguese

Russian

Simplified Chinese

Spanish

Traditional Chinese

By David.

37:1Do not fret1 when wicked men seem to succeed!2

Do not envy evildoers!

37:2For they will quickly dry up like grass,

and wither away like plants.3

37:3Trust in the Lord and do what is right!

Settle in the land and maintain your integrity!4

37:4Then you will take delight in the Lord,5

and he will answer your prayers.6

Read in Logos
Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Footnotes

  1. 1 The verb form is singular (see vv. 3–10 as well, where the second person verbs and pronouns are also singular). The psalmist’s exhortation has a wisdom flavor to it; it is personalized for each member of his audience.
  2. 2 Heb “over sinners.” The context indicates that the psalmist has in mind the apparent power and success of sinners. See v. 7b.
  3. 3 Heb “like green vegetation.”
  4. 4 Heb “tend integrity.” The verb רָעָה (ra’ah, “tend, shepherd”) is probably used here in the sense of “watch over, guard.” The noun אֱמוּנָה (’emunah, “faithfulness, honesty, integrity”) is understood as the direct object of the verb, though it could be taken as an adverbial accusative, “[feed] securely,” if the audience is likened to a flock of sheep.
  5. 5 Following the imperatives of v. 3 the prefixed verbal forms with vav (ו) in v. 4 indicate result. Faith and obedience (v. 3) will bring divine blessing (v. 4).
  6. 6 Or “and he will give you what you desire most.” Heb “and he will grant to you the requests of your heart.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Of David.

Fret not yourself because of evildoers;

be not envious of wrongdoers!

For they will soon fade like the grass

and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;

dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the Lord,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Of David.

Do not fret because of those who are evil

or be envious of those who do wrong;

for like the grass they will soon wither,

like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the Lord and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Of David.

Do not be agitated by evildoers;

do not envy those who do wrong.

For they wither quickly like grass

and wilt like tender green plants.

Trust in the Lord and do what is good;

dwell in the land and live securely.

Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

NLTNew Living Translation

A psalm of David.

Don’t worry about the wicked

or envy those who do wrong.

For like grass, they soon fade away.

Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

Trust in the Lord and do good.

Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Of David.

Do not fret because of evildoers;

do not be envious of doers of wickedness.

For like the grass they will dry up quickly,

and like green vegetation they will wither.

Trust Yahweh and do good.

Abide in the land and feed on faithfulness.

Take pleasure in Yahweh as well,

and he will give to you the requests of your heart.

KJV 1900King James Version

A Psalm of David.

Fret not thyself because of evildoers,

Neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,

And wither as the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;

So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Delight thyself also in the Lord;

And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.