Comment – In Psalm 37 some principles of wisdom are transmitted to direct the heart to God who is the source of all good. Begin by inviting us not to be irritated by the wicked and not to envy the wrongdoers. If one lets oneself be tempted by anger towards the wicked, he behaves as a fool, because they are feelings that pass quickly, on the contrary, he must trust in God doing good, only this will be lasting.
Psalm 37 complete
[1] Of David. Do not be angry with the wicked, do not envy the evildoers.
[2] As hay will soon wither, they will fall like grass in the meadow.
[3] Trust in the Lord and do good; live the earth and live with faith.
[4] Seek the joy of the Lord, he will grant the wishes of your heart.
[5] Show your way to the Lord, trust in him: he will do his work;
[6] your justice will shine as light, your right as noon.
[7] Be silent before the Lord and hope in him; do not be irritated by those who are successful, by the man who plots pitfalls.
[8] You despise anger and put out your indignation, do not be irritated: you would hurt,
[9] for the wicked will be exterminated, but whoever hopes in the Lord will possess the earth.
[10] A little longer and the wicked disappear, look for his place and no longer find it.
Recommended readings- Psalm 76: complete, commentary
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- Psalm 20: complete, commentary
[11] Myths, on the other hand, will possess the earth and enjoy great peace.
[12] The wicked plot against the just, grits his teeth against him.
[13] But the Lord laughs at the wicked, because he sees his day coming.
[14] The wicked draw their sword and stretch their bow to bring down the wretched and the destitute, to kill those who walk on the right path.
[15] Their sword will reach their heart and their bows will break.
[16] The little of the righteous is better than the abundance of the wicked;
[17] for the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord is the support of the righteous.
[18] The Lord knows the life of the good, their inheritance will last forever.
[19] They will not be confused in times of misfortune and in the days of hunger they will be satisfied.
[20] Since the wicked will perish, the enemies of the Lord will wither like the splendor of the meadows, all like smoke will vanish.
[21] The wicked borrow and do not give back, but the righteous one has compassion and gives as a gift.
[22] Whoever is blessed by God will possess the earth, but whoever is cursed will be exterminated.
[23] The Lord makes man's steps sure and follows his path with love.
[24] If he falls, he does not stay on the ground, because the Lord holds him by the hand.
[25] I was a boy and now I am old, I have never seen the righteous abandoned nor his children beg for bread.
[26] He always has compassion and lends, therefore his race is blessed.
[27] Stay away from evil and do good, and you will always have a home.
[28] Because the Lord loves justice and does not abandon his faithful; the wicked will be destroyed forever and their race will be exterminated.
[29] The righteous will possess the earth and live in it forever.
[30] The mouth of the righteous proclaims wisdom, and his tongue expresses justice;
[31] the law of his God is in his heart, his steps will not waver.
[32] The wicked spy on the righteous and try to make him die.
[33] The Lord does not abandon him to his hand, in the judgment he does not allow him to be condemned.
[34] Hope in the Lord and follow his way: he will exalt you and you will possess the earth and you will see the extermination of the wicked.
[35] I have seen the triumphant wicked rise like a luxuriant cedar;
[36] I went by and was gone, I searched for it and no longer found it.
[37] Observe the righteous and see the upright man, the man of peace will have descendants.
[38] But all sinners will be destroyed, the offspring of the wicked will be endless.
[39] The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord, in times of anguish it is their defense;
[40] the Lord comes to their aid and escapes them, frees them from the wicked and gives them salvation, because they have taken refuge in him.
