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Psalms · JPS Tanakh (1917)

Psalm 37 JPS Tanakh (1917)

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About JPS
  • Jewish
  • OT: Masoretic Hebrew
  • Hebrew Bible (Tanakh)
  • Formal (word for word)
  • 1917
  • Public domain

Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings

Notes on this text (2)
JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)
WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
1 A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness.
1 By David. Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.
2 For they shall soon wither like the grass, and fade as the green herb.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and cherish faithfulness.
3 Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.
4 So shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and He shall give thee the petitions of thy heart.
4 Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass.
5 Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this:
6 And He will make thy righteousness to go forth as the light, and thy right as the noonday.
6 he will make your righteousness shine out like light, and your justice as the noon day sun.
7 Resign thyself unto 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.
7 Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil-doing.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing.
9 For evil-doers shall be cut off; but those that wait for the LORD, they shall inherit the land.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.
10 And yet a little while, and the wicked is no more; yea, thou shalt look well at his place, and he is not.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn’t there.
11 But the humble shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
11 But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the righteous, and gnasheth at him with his teeth.
12 The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.
13 The Lord doth laugh at him; for He seeth that his day is coming.
13 The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow; to cast down the poor and needy, to slay such as are upright in the way;
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upright on the path.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken.
16 Better is a little that the righteous hath than the abundance of many wicked.
16 Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken; but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but Yahweh upholds the righteous.
18 The LORD knoweth the days of them that are wholehearted; and their inheritance shall be for ever.
18 Yahweh knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the time of evil; and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
19 They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 For the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs — they shall pass away in smoke, they shall pass away.
20 But the wicked shall perish. The enemies of Yahweh shall be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish— vanish like smoke.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not; but the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth.
21 The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously.
22 For such as are blessed of Him shall inherit the land; and they that are cursed of Him shall be cut off.
22 For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.
23 It is of the LORD that a man's goings are established; and He delighted in his way.
23 A man’s steps are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholdeth his hand.
24 Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for Yahweh holds him up with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread.
26 All the day long he dealeth graciously, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
26 All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His offspring is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
27 Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever.
28 For the LORD loveth justice, and forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved for ever; but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
28 For Yahweh loves justice, and doesn’t forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous uttereth wisdom, and his tongue speaketh justice.
30 The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps slide.
31 The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
32 The wicked watch the righteous, and seek to kill him.
33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor suffer him to be condemned when he is judged.
33 Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait for the LORD, and keep His way, and He will exalt thee to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
34 Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a leafy tree in its native soil.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
36 But one passed by, and, lo, he was not; yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
36 But he passed away, and behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the man of integrity, and behold the upright; for there is a future for the man of peace.
37 Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.
38 But transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.
38 As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
40 And the LORD helpeth them, and delivereth them; He delivereth them from the wicked, and saveth them, because they have taken refuge in Him.
40 Yahweh helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked and saves them, because they have taken refuge in him.
Cross references (40)

Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.

  1. 1 Psalm 37:7; Proverbs 23:17; Proverbs 24:19; Proverbs 3:31; Proverbs 24:1
  2. 2 Psalm 92:7; Psalm 90:5–6; James 1:10–11; Psalm 37:35–36; Job 14:2
  3. 3 Jeremiah 17:7–8; Matthew 6:31–33; Psalm 62:8; 1 Corinthians 15:57–58; Psalm 34:9–10
  4. 4 John 15:7; Psalm 145:19; John 15:16; Isaiah 58:14; 1 John 5:14–15
  5. 5 Proverbs 16:3; 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6–7; Matthew 6:25; Psalm 55:22
  6. 6 Isaiah 54:17; Job 11:17; Isaiah 58:8; Micah 7:8–9; Matthew 13:43
  7. 7 James 5:7–11; Psalm 27:14; Psalm 62:5; Hebrews 10:36–37; Lamentations 3:25–26
  8. 8 Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 16:32; James 1:19–20; Ephesians 4:31; Ephesians 4:26
  9. 9 Isaiah 60:21; Psalm 25:13; Proverbs 2:21; Psalm 37:29; Isaiah 57:13
  10. 10 Job 24:24; 1 Peter 4:7; Psalm 37:35–36; Psalm 107:42–43; Psalm 103:16
  11. 11 Matthew 5:5; Galatians 5:22–23; Isaiah 26:3; James 3:13; Psalm 119:165
  12. 12 Psalm 35:16; Micah 2:1; Daniel 8:12; Psalm 31:13; Matthew 26:16
  13. 13 Psalm 2:4; Proverbs 1:26; Daniel 5:26; 1 Samuel 26:10; Ezekiel 21:25
  14. 14 Proverbs 29:27; Psalm 11:2; 1 John 3:12; Proverbs 29:10; Psalm 64:2–6
  15. 15 Psalm 7:14–15; Psalm 35:8; Hosea 2:18; 1 Samuel 31:4; Jeremiah 51:56
  16. 16 Proverbs 16:8; Proverbs 15:16–17; 1 Timothy 6:6; Proverbs 13:25; Proverbs 3:33
  17. 17 Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 63:8; Psalm 145:14; Isaiah 42:1; Psalm 37:24
  18. 18 Psalm 1:6; Psalm 103:17; Romans 6:23; 2 Timothy 2:19; Revelation 11:3–5
  19. 19 Psalm 33:19; Proverbs 10:3; Job 5:20–22; Isaiah 33:16; Amos 5:13
  20. 20 Psalm 68:2; Psalm 102:3; Luke 13:3; Deuteronomy 33:14–16; Judges 5:31
  21. 21 Hebrews 13:16; Psalm 112:5; Proverbs 22:7; Psalm 112:9; Luke 6:30
  22. 22 Proverbs 3:33; 1 Corinthians 16:22; Psalm 37:9; Psalm 37:28; Psalm 37:11
  23. 23 Proverbs 16:9; Psalm 119:133; Proverbs 4:26; 1 Samuel 2:9; Psalm 40:2
  24. 24 Proverbs 24:16; Psalm 145:14; Psalm 94:18; Micah 7:7–8; John 10:27–30
  25. 25 Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 37:28; Psalm 25:13; Psalm 112:2; 1 Samuel 12:22
  26. 26 Psalm 112:5; Psalm 37:21; Matthew 5:7; Jeremiah 32:39; Deuteronomy 15:8–10
  27. 27 Psalm 34:14; Proverbs 16:6; 1 John 2:16–17; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; Hebrews 13:16
  28. 28 Proverbs 2:22; Psalm 11:7; Psalm 21:10; Isaiah 59:21; 1 Peter 1:5
  29. 29 Proverbs 2:21; Psalm 37:9; 2 Peter 3:13; Psalm 37:11; Psalm 37:18
  30. 30 Colossians 4:6; Proverbs 25:11–13; Proverbs 15:7; Ephesians 4:29; Matthew 12:35
  31. 31 Psalm 40:8; Deuteronomy 6:6; Isaiah 51:7; Psalm 119:11; Jeremiah 31:33
  32. 32 Jeremiah 20:10; Luke 14:1; Luke 20:20; Psalm 10:8–10; Luke 19:47–48
  33. 33 Psalm 109:31; 2 Peter 2:9; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:33–34; 2 Timothy 4:17
  34. 34 Psalm 27:14; Proverbs 20:22; Psalm 37:9; Matthew 24:13; Psalm 52:5–6
  35. 35 Job 5:3; Psalm 73:3–11; Job 21:7–17; Ezekiel 31:6–10; Isaiah 14:14–19
  36. 36 Psalm 37:10; Acts 12:22–23; Isaiah 10:16–19; Exodus 15:19; Isaiah 10:33–34
  37. 37 Isaiah 32:17; Isaiah 57:1–2; 2 Timothy 4:6–8; Acts 7:59–60; Job 42:12–17
  38. 38 Proverbs 14:32; Psalm 52:5; Matthew 13:49–50; 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9; Psalm 1:4–6
  39. 39 Psalm 9:9; Psalm 91:15; Isaiah 12:2; Psalm 3:8; 2 Timothy 4:17
  40. 40 Isaiah 31:5; Daniel 3:17; 1 Chronicles 5:20; Isaiah 46:4; Daniel 3:28

Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences

What the Fathers said

Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).

How these were chosen

“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).

  1. Commentary Augustine of Hippo, Expositions on the Psalms (Psalm XXXVI)

    "The ungodly hath said in himself that he will sin: there is no fear of God before his eyes" (ver. 1). Not of one man, but of a race of ungodly men he speaketh, who fight against their own selves, by not understanding, that so they may live well; not because they cannot, but because they will not.

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 8 (1888)

  2. Quotes verse 37:23 Augustine of Hippo, Confessions (Book V, Chapters VII–VIII)

    It was Thou, O my God, who didst it, for the steps of a man are ordered by the Lord, and He shall dispose his way. Or how can we procure salvation but from Thy hand, remaking what it hath made?

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)

  3. Quotes verse 37:11 John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew (Homily XV)

    And besides, since in the Old Testament the prophet used to say continually, "The meek shall inherit the earth;" He thus weaves into His discourse the words to which they were accustomed, so as not everywhere to speak a strange language.

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)

  4. Quotes verse 37:4 Basil of Caesarea, Hexaemeron (Homily VIII)

    "Delight thyself also in the Lord and he shall give thee the desire of thine heart." Do you love riches?

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 8 (1895)

  5. Quotes verse 37:11 Augustine of Hippo, Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament (Sermon XXXI)

    … saith, "Great peace have they who love Thy law, and nothing is an offence to them." To this sentiment also agrees the passage which we have chanted in course; "But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Because, "great peace have they who love Thy law." For these "meek" ones are they …

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)