[1] A Psalm of David. [2] Fret not yourself because of the wicked, be not
envious of wrongdoers! [3] For they will soon fade like the grass, and
wither like the green herb. [4] Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will
dwell in the land, and enjoy security. [5] Take delight in the LORD, and he
will give you the desires of your heart. [6] Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act. [7] He will bring forth your vindication as
the light, and your right as the noonday. [8] Be still before the LORD, and
wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over him who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices! [9] Refrain from anger, and
forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. [10] For the
wicked shall be cut off; but those who wait for the LORD shall possess the
land. [11] Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you
look well at his place, he will not be there. [12] But the meek shall
possess the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity. [13] The
wicked plots against the righteous, and gnashes his teeth at him; [14] but
the LORD laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. [15] The
wicked draw the sword and bend their bows, to bring down the poor and
needy, to slay those who walk uprightly; [16] their sword shall enter their
own heart, and their bows shall be broken. [17] Better is a little that the
righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. [18] For the arms of the
wicked shall be broken; but the LORD upholds the righteous. [19] The LORD
knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will abide for ever;
[20] they are not put to shame in evil times, in the days of famine they
have abundance. [21] But the wicked perish; the enemies of the LORD are
like the glory of the pastures, they vanish--like smoke they vanish away.
[22] The wicked borrows, and cannot pay back, but the righteous is generous
and gives; [23] for those blessed by the LORD shall possess the land, but
those cursed by him shall be cut off. [24] The steps of a man are from the
LORD, and he establishes him in whose way he delights; [25] though he fall,
he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD is the stay of his hand. [26] I
have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging bread. [27] He is ever giving liberally and
lending, and his children become a blessing. [28] Depart from evil, and do
good; so shall you abide for ever. [29] For the LORD loves justice; he will
not forsake his saints. The righteous shall be preserved for ever, but the
children of the wicked shall be cut off. [30] The righteous shall possess
the land, and dwell upon it for ever. [31] The mouth of the righteous
utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. [32] The law of his God is in
his heart; his steps do not slip. [33] The wicked watches the righteous,
and seeks to slay him. [34] The LORD will not abandon him to his power, or
let him be condemned when he is brought to trial. [35] Wait for the LORD,
and keep to his way, and he will exalt you to possess the land; you will
look on the destruction of the wicked. [36] I have seen a wicked man
overbearing, and towering like a cedar of Lebanon. [37] Again I passed by,
and, lo, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found. [38]
Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright, for there is posterity for
the man of peace. [39] But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the
posterity of the wicked shall be cut off. [40] The salvation of the
righteous is from the LORD; he is their refuge in the time of trouble. [
(Psalms 37:41) The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from
the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him. ]
