📖 Psalms — Chapter 37 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Psalms 37:1 RFret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
Psalms 37:2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Psalms 37:3 RTrust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and Tverily thou shalt be fed.
Psalms 37:4 RDelight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalms 37:5 RTCommit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Psalms 37:6 And Rhe shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Psalms 37:7 RTRest 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.
Psalms 37:8 RCease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Psalms 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall Rinherit the earth.
Psalms 37:10 For Ryet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
Psalms 37:11 But Rthe meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Psalms 37:12 RThe wicked Tplotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
Psalms 37:13 The LORD shall Rlaugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
Psalms 37:14 The Rwicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay Tsuch as be of upright conversation.
Psalms 37:15 Their Rsword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
Psalms 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
Psalms 37:17 For the Rarms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
Psalms 37:18 The LORD Rknoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
Psalms 37:19 They shall not be ashamed Rin the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
Psalms 37:20 RBut the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as Tthe fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
Psalms 37:21 The wicked Rborroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
Psalms 37:22 For such as be Rblessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
Psalms 37:23 The Rsteps of a good man are Tordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psalms 37:24 RThough he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Psalms 37:25 RI have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Psalms 37:26 He is Tever Rmerciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
Psalms 37:27 RDepart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
Psalms 37:28 For the LORD Rloveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
Psalms 37:29 RThe righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
Psalms 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
Psalms 37:31 The Rlaw of his God is in his heart; none of his Tsteps shall slide.
Psalms 37:32 The wicked Rwatcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
Psalms 37:33 The LORD Rwill not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
Psalms 37:34 RWait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
Psalms 37:35 RI have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like Ta green bay tree.
Psalms 37:36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Psalms 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
Psalms 37:38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
Psalms 37:39 But the Rsalvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
Psalms 37:40 And Rthe LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Psalms 37:1–11 — Do not envy wrongdoing
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The wisdom psalm counsels against agitation and envy when evildoers prosper. Trust, doing good, delight in the Lord, and patient waiting offer another path. The promise about desires belongs within a heart delighting in God, not a formula for acquiring anything one happens to want.
Key Truth: Trust God and do good instead of envying evil.
Check What You Remember
1. What should people not do because of evildoers? (Psalms 37:1)
Find it in Psalms 37:1 (KJV).
2. In whom should they delight? (Psalms 37:4)
Find it in Psalms 37:4 (KJV).
3. Who shall inherit the earth? (Psalms 37:11)
Find it in Psalms 37:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Psalms 37:12–26 — Generosity and God's sustaining hand
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Wicked schemes are contrasted with God's care for the righteous. A little with righteousness is better than abundant wicked wealth, and faithful people show mercy and give. The elderly speaker's testimony about provision should be read as wisdom and experience, not used to accuse hungry believers of lacking righteousness.
Key Truth: Righteousness and generosity matter more than unjust abundance.
Check What You Remember
1. What is better than the riches of many wicked? (Psalms 37:16)
Find it in Psalms 37:16 (KJV).
2. What does the righteous person show? (Psalms 37:21)
Find it in Psalms 37:21 (KJV).
3. Who upholds the person who falls? (Psalms 37:24)
Find it in Psalms 37:24 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Psalms 37:27–40 — Keep God's way and look to the end
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The hearer is told to depart from evil, speak wisdom, and wait upon the Lord. The once-powerful wicked person passes away, while the upright person's end is peace. The closing appeal locates salvation and strength in God during trouble rather than treating present success as the final verdict.
Key Truth: The Lord is the strength of the righteous in trouble.
Check What You Remember
1. Where is God's law in the righteous person? (Psalms 37:31)
Find it in Psalms 37:31 (KJV).
2. What is the upright person's end? (Psalms 37:37)
Find it in Psalms 37:37 (KJV).
3. From whom is the salvation of the righteous? (Psalms 37:39)
Find it in Psalms 37:39 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Matthew 5:5 — Jesus repeats the promise that the meek will inherit the earth.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What faithful and generous action can you take instead of measuring your life against someone else's unjust success?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does the opening counsel respond to the apparent success of evildoers?
2. What value judgment challenges wealth as the measure of blessing?
3. How are the wicked borrower and righteous giver contrasted?
4. How does the psalm describe a good person’s fall?
5. What contrast between final outcomes grounds hope?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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